Authorities have released bodycam footage of a fatal police encounter in Toms River involving a suspect with multiple outstanding warrants who resisted arrest and later succumbed to a medical episode.
The victim has been identified as John Cassidy, 47, of Toms River.
According to the preliminary investigation, at approximately 1:00 p.m. on April 19, 2024, Island Heights Police Officers Peter Muscarella, Dominique D’Amico-Violante, and Lt. Paul Rutledge attempted to arrest Mr. Cassidy at a gas station on Route 37 near West End Avenue due to active warrants. Mr. Cassidy re-entered his parked vehicle despite being instructed not to and refused to exit the vehicle when ordered by the officers.
For approximately 25 minutes, officers attempted unsuccessfully to have Mr. Cassidy exit the vehicle. Assisted by Toms River Police Officers Anthony Pacella, Krzysztof Kowalczyk, and Sgt. Shan Ruiz, as well as Ocean County Sheriff’s Sgt. Anthony Pereira, officers physically removed Mr. Cassidy from his vehicle and handcuffed him while he was on the ground.
Moments later, Mr. Cassidy suffered a medical episode, and officers on the scene provided medical aid. Emergency medical personnel arrived and took over Mr. Cassidy’s care. He was then transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River, where he was later pronounced deceased at approximately 2:25 p.m.
Why was it so important to get the man out of his car once the engine was off and the keys removed?
Obviously the person had a criminal record and was refusing to follow instructions.
Moon shining is against the law
Luckily for the cops involved, this man was not the right skin color for the Media to turn this into a national George Floyd type scandal.