A 52-year-old Atlantic City man was fatally shot by police after authorities say he opened fire on officers attempting to execute a search warrant, striking two officers, according to the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office.
The office identified the man as Donald Gardner, also known as Donald Capriotti, of Atlantic City.
According to investigators, members of the Atlantic City Police Department SWAT team and the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office SWAT team were serving a search warrant Tuesday at a home on the 100 block of North Florida Avenue.
Authorities said officers arrived and found the front door open, but it was closed by someone inside the residence. After officers announced their presence, they used a mechanical device to breach the door.
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As the door opened, Gardner allegedly fired multiple shots at officers. One Atlantic City police officer was struck in the helmet and another suffered a gunshot wound to the leg, according to the Attorney General’s Office.
One of the injured officers has been identified as Sgt. Christian Ivanov. The New Jersey PBA has shared a GoFundMe to support his recovery, raising more than $216,000 to date.
Officer Robert Reynolds, who was not hit by gunfire, returned fire and struck Gardner. Gardner was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators said a handgun was recovered from the residence.
The two injured officers were taken to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center for treatment.