Jerame C. Reid, 36, is seen exiting a vehicle with his hands raised at shoulder height when a Bridgeton police officer opens fire. Reid, who was convicted as a teen for shooting at New Jersey State Police troopers, was repeatedly warned not to move by the cop or ‘you’re gonna be f — ing dead.’
A newly released video capturing the police shooting death of a New Jersey man shows an officer warning the suspect not to move or he’ll be “f — ing dead” before the man steps out of his car .Jerame C. Reid, 36, is seen exiting the vehicle with his hands raised at shoulder height when a Bridgeton police officer, who recognizes Reid by name, fired at least six times. Reid’s violent Dec. 30 death began as a routine traffic stop before Officer Braheme Days calls to his partner, Roger Worley, “We’ve got a gun in this glove compartment!” “Don’t you f — ing move,” Days warns to Reid and the driver, Leroy Tutt. “I’m telling you I’m gonna shoot you. You’re gonna be f — ing dead.” Tutt obediently holds both hands out of his open window while Days expresses the continuing issue with Reid. “Hey Jerome, you reach for something you’re going to be f — ing dead,” Days warns. “I’m telling you I’m gonna shoot you. You’re gonna be f — ing dead.”
Records show Days was involved in Reid’s arrest last year on charges of drug possession and obstruction. Reid also spent about 13 years in prison for shooting at New Jersey State Police troopers when he was a teen. “I ain’t got no reason to reach for nothing, bro, I ain’t got no reason to reach for nothing,” Reid is heard responding as Days continues to yell to his partner that Reid is reaching for something. “I’m getting out and getting on the ground,” Days is heard telling the officer before indeed opening the car door and stepping out. Days, while shouting, takes several steps back before opening fire upon Reid as he stands with two hands — appearing empty — in the air. The disturbing video was viewed as a horror flick to Reid’s wife, who watched it for the first time Tuesday after its release through open records requests, her attorney told NJ.com.
“It’s traumatic,” Philadelphia-based attorney Conrad J. Benedetto told the paper “She is extremely upset. To see someone that close to you, it is a powerful thing. There is a lot of shock value to it.” The Bridgeton Police Department released a statement Tuesday expressing it was upset over the video’s release, calling it unprofessional and uncompassionate “out of respect for the family.” “Since this remains a criminal investigation being conducted by the Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office with assistance from the New Jersey State Police the administration of the Bridgeton Police Dept. will refrain from any further comment other than that it fully supports the officers involved as well as the legal process this incident is subject to,” it added. Both officers have been placed on leave while the Cumberland County prosecutor’s office investigates.