2 Persons Of Interest Sought In Shooting Of Camden Detectives

Follow CBSPHILLY Facebook Twitter
CAMDEN, N.J. (CBS) -- Police in Camden have released photos of persons on interest in connection with the ambush shooting of two detectives on Tuesday night.

The detectives were sitting at a red light when the gunmen unloaded a barrage of bullets.

"They were essentially ambushed," said Camden County Police Chief Scott Thomson. "A male walked up and began opening fire, anywhere between 10 to 25 rounds."

"I just started hearing a whole lot of gunshots" said one man. "It sounded like someone was shooting and then someone started shooting back."

"A guy jumped out of the car and started shooting at another car and with an automatic gun," another witness said.

On Wednesday night, police released surveillance images of two persons of interest.

"I'm counting on my community to really come forth and help us apprehend these individuals," said Mayor Frank Moran. "There are individuals that still exist that are willing to shoot any vehicle with occupants in it whether they knew they were officers or not. Nonetheless, that's why it's so of the utmost importance for us to apprehend these individuals where they don't go on a shooting spree"

The incident occurred around 8:30 p.m. near Broadway and Mount Vernon Streets.

Police say the officers were in plain clothes and sitting at a traffic light in an unmarked car at Broadway and Walnut Streets when they were approached by the gunmen.

Two detectives, a male and a female, were injured in the shooting. One detective suffered a gunshot wound to the hand, another was shot in the arm.

The officers were transported to Cooper University Hospital where they are being treated for non-life-threatening injuries. They have both been placed on administrative leave pending the investigation.

FOP Lodge 218 President Rich Kunkel says the officers are doing well.

"Those officers are in good spirits. We've had a lot of support throughout the department," he said.

Kunkel says one detective is expected to be released Wednesday evening. It's unclear when the other detective will be released.

Police say the one detective was able to return fire but it's unclear if the suspect was struck.

Authorities are urging the public not to approach the persons of interest.

If you have information that may lead to the identification of either of the two individuals pictured, please immediately contact Camden County Prosecutor's Office Major Crimes Detective Matt McKeown at (609) 820-7192.