Prosecutor finds officer’s bullet grazed girl
Investigation result: undue force was not used, suspect fired first
Although a ballistics’ test on the bullet that grazed 8-year-old Cassie Jones’ forehead during the Nov. 4 shootout between 20-year-old suspect Dante Allen and second year police officer Terence McGhee was inconclusive, Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni said it is the opinion of his office that the projectile came from the police officer’s weapon.
A Wednesday Report into the investigation of police conduct during the incident found that police did not use undue force in arresting Allen, who was shot in the leg after he fired at police.
The incident began after McGhee attempted to conduct a field stop when he observed Allen attempting to conceal something under his clothing. As Allen attempted to flee he turned and fired the first shot, the report states.
Allen is charged with attempted murder, unlawful possession of a weapon, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.
Below is the news release in its entirety:
The state’s ballistics laboratory returned a report Friday with its finding related to the Nov. 4, 2015, non-fatal officer-involved shooting between an Asbury Park Police Officer and Dante Allen that resulted in the wounding of a child inside her Borden Avenue home, announced Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.
“The ballistics examination by the New Jersey State Police Forensic Investigations Bureau Ballistics Unit was inconclusive in determining which projectile struck the victim, but the opinion of the forensics lab and the investigatory opinion of this Office have determined the projectile came from the weapon of the police officer,” Gramiccioni said.
The ballistics examination on the 9mm Smith and Wesson model 6946 semiautomatic pistol found in possession of Dante Allen and the service weapon of the police officer – a .40-caliber Glock model 23 semiautomatic pistol – were both tested by the laboratory.
On Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2016, it was determined the Police Officer’s use of deadly force was justified and necessary. Please refer to that statement for additional information about the incident.
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