Family seeks investigation of fatal police-involved shooting in Camden
The family of a Camden man fatally shot by two police officers Tuesday is seeking an independent investigation into his death, the family's attorney said Friday.
The family of a Camden man fatally shot by two police officers Tuesday is seeking an independent investigation into his death, the family's attorney said Friday.
"You want to know why it happened, what were the circumstances to justify it," Conrad J. Benedetto said.
Benedetto said the family of Freddy Baez, 24, reached out to him after the shooting. It happened around 7 p.m. in the 3200 block of Rutledge Walk, when two Camden County police officers responded to a 911 domestic call.
The woman who called police said Baez was banging on her door and "I don't know if he has a gun or not."
Authorities said Baez exchanged gunfire with the officers outside shortly after they arrived. Authorities have not said how many shots were fired or identified the officers.
"We just want answers why this happened," Baez's mother, Veronica Cabrera, said in a statement. "There are too many unanswered questions."
"Every loss of life is tragic and the Baez family remains in our thoughts and prayers," Police Chief Scott Thomson said.
He said the police department is not involved in the investigation and referred comment about it to the county Prosecutor's Office.
"We are not releasing further information at this time so as not to jeopardize the integrity of the investigation," said Andy McNeil, a spokesman for the Prosecutor's Office. "We need witnesses to provide independent recollections of the incident, not an account influenced by press coverage."
Benedetto said the family, which has requested privacy, is considering having an independent autopsy done, and that it plans to meet with investigators soon.
"Hopefully we'll get the answers to put the family at ease," Benedetto said.
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