Newly released video footage shows the moment a 20-year-old New Jersey man was fatally shot by an officer as he went on a destructive ...
Newly released video footage shows the moment a 20-year-old New Jersey man was fatally shot by an officer as he went on a destructive rampage driving a construction backhoe into several cars and homes last month.
Joshua Gonzalez of Millville was killed after police responded to calls of a man erratically driving a backhoe through the a Vineland neighborhood, a press release from Attorney General Andrew Bruck's office said.
The New Jersey Office of Attorney General released several bodycam and civilian videos along with 911 calls from the fatal police shooting early in the morning on December 18.
Joshua Gonzalez, was killed by police on December 18 as he drove a construction backhoe around Vineland, New Jersey damaging homes and cars throughout the area (Pictured: An officer is seen approaching the backhoe after Gonzalez was shot)
Vineland Police Sgt. Louis Platania shot and killed Gonzalez after police attempted to stop him for about 30 minutes as he continued to chase them and damage police and civilian property (Pictured: An officer is seen checking on Gonzalez who is slumped on the floor of the vehicle)
Gonzalez was pronounced dead on the scene after officers handcuffed him and attempted to perform CPR (Pictured: Officers pulled Gonzalez from the cabin of the backhoe and laid him in the grass to administer aid)
Vineland police were contacted by local residents of West Park Drive to report a man driving a backhoe around the neighborhood in an 'erratic manner,' the release said.
Several officers arrived on the scene around 5am when they found Gonzalez behind the wheel of the construction equipment, according to the AG.
The officers attempted to stop Gonzalez for nearly 30 minutes as he continued to cause 'extensive damage to several residences and vehicles, including three police cars, an ambulance, and an occupied civilian vehicle,' the release noted.
Sgt. Louis Platania shot at Gonzalez in an attempt to stop him and fatally wounded the young man, according the Brunk's office.
First aid was rendered but medical personnel were unable to save him and pronounced him dead on the scene at 5:48am, the release said.
Three Vineland Officers were also injured at the scene but have been treated and released, the AG reported.
Investigators met with the Gonzalez family to review the footage when it was released to the public on Thursday. An investigation into the police killing remains ongoing.
The New Jersey Attorney General's Office released videos and 911 calls relating to the incident (Pictured: A cop car is seen flipped on its side as smoke fills the air after Gonzalez repeatedly rammed into the vehicle with the backhoe)
Three Vineland Officers were also injured at the scene but have been treated and released (Pictured: Gonzalez drove the backhoe into an empty police car parked on the side of the road)
Gonzalez drove the backhoe into a civilian vehicle as a woman began her commute to work (Pictured: The woman's red car is seen damaged on the side of the street)
Several police bodycams recorded the night as the officers attempted to stop Gonzalez as he continued to chase them and crash into houses and cars in the area.
Platania is heard speaking into his radio reporting on the backhoe driving into houses and cars before he parks his vehicle and runs over the cul-de-sac where Gonzalez is driving the backhoe.
The officer is heard firing about four rounds through the window of the backhoe hitting Gonzalez who immediately slumps over. The backhoe then crashes into a tree when the officers run to turn off the equipment and pull Gonzalez's limp body from the cabin.
'F**k,' Platania mutters several times after firing his weapon.
'It's okay Louis. We gotta do what we gotta do,' another officer says to Platania who calls for EMS and orders the other officers to check on the residents in the houses nearby.
In other footage, Gonzalez is seen laying face down in the grass as he's being handcuffed. The officers then flip him over and prop him up as they begin administering aid and performing CPR.
A third bodycam recording shows an officer getting out of his car and start running. The backhoe then rams into the empty police vehicle and drives off as the officer chases the backhoe on foot.
After Gonzalez is shot, the officer is seen inspecting a cop car that Gonzalez had pushed up against the front door of a house. He knocks on the window and begins checking on the residents.
In a 911 call, a trainee manager at AJM Packaging Corporation told dispatchers that Gonzalez hit several cars in the parking lot before attempting to hit the building (Pictured: Gonzalez drove onto a lawn and ran over a small bridge and other decorations)
Police have not released a motive or how Gonzalez gained access to the backhoe (Pictured: The backhoe is seen running over lawn decorations before backing up to hit a house)
Investigators met with Gonzalez's family when the videos were released on Thursday (Pictured: Gonzalez rammed the backhoe into a house in the early morning)
Another bodycam shows the scene after Gonzalez drove the backhoe into a civilian vehicle with a female driver inside. The officer calls for an ambulance for the driver.
A red car is seen with its bumper in the road as another cop car drives by with the backhoe following behind and driving right into two parked police cars as another. A third police vehicle drives on the grass to avoid being hit.
The terrified woman driver is heard crying as police lead her away from the front yard to hide by the side of the house. The officer asks her, 'Are you alright?' The visibly shaken woman responds: 'No, I'm in shock. I was going to work.'
Home surveillance footage from another home shows a cop car speed by as Gonzalez follows behind it.
The backhoe is seen driving onto the lawn and running over a little lighted bridge before backing up and ramming into the side of the house. Gonzalez then drives away as a different angle shows the street lined with police vehicles.
Cell phone video from a witness shows Gonzalez continuously ramming into cop car before flipping it over. 'Oh my god! Oh my goodness! Run, run he's after you! Go! He's crazy! My goodness!' a woman is heard exclaiming in the background.
The extent of the damage from last month's deadly incident has not been disclosed (Pictured: Officers run towards Gonzalez after he was shot and crashed the backhoe into a tree)
An investigation into the police killing is being conducted by the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability
In another video, the police car is seen flipped on its side with smoking billowing out next to a damaged cop and civilian car.
A 911 call from a manager trainee at AJM Packaging Corporation reports that the backhoe drove into the parking lot hitting a car which then hit another vehicle.
Gonzalez then returns to the parking lot while the man is on the line with 911. People are heard screaming as they run inside the building. The man tells the dispatcher that the driver of the backhoe tried to hit the door and then drove off again.
'So, he's trying to hit a building?' a 911 operator asks the eyewitness.
'That's what it looks like. Everyone just ran inside,' the caller responds.
An investigation into the police killing is currently being conducted by the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability, which is under the attorney general's office.
The case will be presented to a grand jury of civilians who will decide whether criminal charges will be filed.
No comments