N.J. officer from Burlco charged in fatal shooting

A New Jersey police officer from Burlington County was being held in Maryland on $1 million bail, charged with shooting a man to death in a suspected road-rage incident Saturday night in Gambrills, Md.

Joseph Walker, 40, of the unit block of Cambridge Court in Eastampton Township, was charged with second-degree murder and manslaughter. He was held at the Anne Arundel County Detention Center. He is a sworn officer with the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office, state police said.

Maryland State Police spokeswoman Elena Russo said it was still unknown Sunday night whether Walker or the victim was the aggressor.

According to police, Walker, his wife, and three children were in a gold minivan on Route 3 Saturday night just past Route 175 in Maryland when a green Honda Accord driven by Joseph Harvey entered the road. There was one passenger in Harvey's car.

What happened next is unclear, police said. About 8:30 p.m. a mile north, the two men pulled their cars to the side of the road.

Harvey and his friend, who was not identified, stepped out of the car, police said. While his friend stayed near the car, Harvey began walking toward Walker's minivan, about 100 to 150 feet behind.

Walker stepped out of the van, police said, drew a .45 Glock pistol, and fired multiple times.

Harvey was pronounced dead Saturday night at Baltimore Washington Medical Center. The autopsy found three gunshot wounds to his body, Russo said.

Harvey's passenger was not injured.

State police ask anyone who witnessed the encounter to call 410-761-5130.