Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office

                                 25 Kirkpatrick Street, 3rd Floor, New Brunswick, New Jersey, 08901 (732) 745-3300

 

                              *News Release*                 Date: September 29, 2011

 
 

       

 

 

 

 

 

Investigation continuing; statements, evidence gathered

 

          One week after a police shooting resulted in the death of a New Brunswick resident, Middlesex County Prosecutor Bruce J. Kaplan provided another update on the status of an investigation.

 

The extensive investigation remains active and is continuing in an effort to determine exactly what transpired when Barry E. Deloatch, 46, of New Brunswick was fatally shot during an encounter with two New Brunswick police officers.

 

To ensure fair and impartial investigations, the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office is prohibited from describing evidence or disclosing the identities or specific statements of those who have provided information to authorities.

 

          Within those confines, Prosecutor Kaplan announced that 24 investigators from the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office have located and interviewed 37 people who were able to provide information pertaining to the shooting of Mr. Deloatch on September 22, 2011.

 

In addition, investigators recovered 38 items that have been marked as evidence. Many of the items are being forwarded for forensic and ballistics examinations to outside labs. It cannot be predicted when the results of those examinations will be received. Until these results are received and reviewed by the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, the investigation cannot be completed.

 

It should be noted that the officer’s gun used in the shooting, and a single bullet that was recovered, are among items being sent for analysis.

 

Many of the witnesses who were identified and/or came forward, did so because of the assistance and encouragement from community leaders and because of some of Mr. Deloatch’s relatives, who are cooperating with law enforcement.

 

There also was extensive canvassing over a period of several days by Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office investigators, who knocked on doors and distributed flyers.

 

It also should be reported that the 37 people interviewed during the past week included police officers, emergency medical technicians who were called to the scene, and civilians.

 

The investigation began after Mr. Deloatch was shot in an alley between two homes on Throop Avenue in New Brunswick at 12:12 a.m. on September 22, 2011, during a foot pursuit involving the two officers.

 

An autopsy by the Middlesex County Medical Examiner’s Office determined that Mr. Deloatch was shot once in his left side.

 

As in every case, it is the intention of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office to conduct a comprehensive, thorough and unbiased investigation into this incident, and all the resources of the office are being fully utilized to bring this case to a just conclusion.

 

Whenever possible, information will be disclosed as it becomes available.

 

Anyone with information is asked to contact Investigator Jeffrey Temple of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at (732) 745-3373.