CAMDEN, N.J. (AP) - Four men have been charged in connection with shots fired last month at the home of two New Jersey police officers and their newborn - a residence authorities say they believe was targeted by mistake.
Camden County police on Monday announced attempted murder, conspiracy and weapons charges against the defendants, who range in age from 18 to 30.
Chief Joseph Wysocki declined to discuss a possible motive for the Sept. 15 gunfire in Camden but said investigators don’t believe the perpetrators targeted the officers or even knew they lived there. “I believe they had the wrong house,” Wysocki said.
Authorities said six bullets struck the home where the officers lived with their 10-day-old infant, and although some bullets penetrated the structure, the family was on the second floor and no one was hurt.
A reward for information in the case that rose to $100,000, much of it donated by police unions and other law enforcement groups, hasn’t been claimed, Wysocki said.
Officials at the news conference also vowed a strong response to a recent surge of killings in the city, saying closer partnership with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives will allow federal agents to respond “in real time” along with local law enforcement.
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