NEWS

Man charged with firing at Bridgeton cops

From staff reports
Tyshaun Milledge

BRIDGETON – Police captured a Fairfield man they say shot at officers who were investigating a burglary earlier this week.

Tyshaun Milledge, 29, of Kings Drive faces charges of criminal attempted homicide, two counts of aggravated assault with a weapon, possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes, unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon by certain persons prohibited.

Officers were called to a North Street home about 1:12 a.m. Wednesday for a reported burglary when somebody fired a single gunshot in their direction. Nobody was injured in the incident.

RELATED STORY: Shot fired at Bridgeton police

Milledge was arrested about 7:30 a.m. Friday after officers found him hiding in the attic of a South Giles Street home, police said.

"Obviously we consider firing at a police officer a very serious matter," Bridgeton police Capt. Michael Gaimari said. "These men and women represent the law and are here to protect each and every citizen from this type of activity. They are not the least bit intimidated and in turn appear to be even more dedicated toward their respective assignments whether it be patrol or investigations."

Officers initially charged Milledge in connection with an Oak Street shooting on July 11 in which a man was shot in the arm, Gaimari said. Police signed complaints against Milledge in that case earlier this week. County officials, meanwhile, issued warrants for his arrest in connection with a domestic assault on July 12, he said.

The U.S. Marshals Service Regional Fugitive Task Force joined Bridgeton police in the search for Milledge. After his arrest, city Detective Jeff Bordley signed charges against him for shooting at officers Wednesday.

Police had been called to North Street early that morning for a reported burglary in which somebody kicked in the doors of several apartment units. Patrol officers found nobody inside the apartments, but as officers were canvassing the scene somebody fired a single shot in their direction.

"We have altered and redefined several of our patrol practices and response techniques to either try and avoid future incidents, such as the shot at officers, or be in a position to apprehend those responsible immediately," Gaimari said.

Milledge's arrest capped a particularly violent week for the city — and the region.

• On Monday, 20-year-old Quantasia Bessix of Cohansey Street was shot in the back on North Street. Bessix, who was not considered the intended target, is the county's 12 homicide victim this year.

RELATED STORY: Woman killed in drive-by shooting

Gaimari said the investigation into Bessix's death is "progressing rapidly" and investigators hope to wrap up the case soon. He would not comment on any potential suspects.

"I've never seen so many officers volunteering for overtime and/or canceling leave time in an effort to be a part of the initial homicide investigation and subsequent shooting at fellow officers, not to mention the assistance we have received from other municipal, county, state and federal law enforcement agencies," Gaimari said.

"Our resources have been stretched thin this past week, but it has been and continues to be a fine job performed by officers and investigators from this department and assisting agencies in each incident and they should be commended," he said.

• In Vineland, police are investigating four shootings since Saturday that resulted in three men suffering gunshot wounds and one arrest.

RELATED STORY: Violent week continues in Vineland

• On Tuesday, somebody fired several shots at the West Deptford police station.

RELATED STORY: Shots fired at West Depford police station

The headquarters of the New Jersey State Policemen's Benevolent Association issued a $20,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in that case.

The PBA matched that bounty Wednesday when the Bridgeton shooting incident was reported. It was not known Friday if anybody was in line for the reward following Milledge's arrest.

Bail was set at $2 million for Milledge in the shooting. Additionally, he was charged with aggravated assault with a weapon and additional weapons charges in connection with the Oak Street shooting; and aggravated assault, terroristic threats, defiant trespassing and weapons offenses with regards to the domestic assault incident on July 12.

What's next

Tyshaun Milledge is scheduled to be arraigned at 1:30 p.m. Monday in Cumberland County Superior Court.