Police: Father killed while protecting children in carjacking in Trenton, NJ – NBC10 Philadelphia

Police in New Jersey are investigating the death of a man who, authorities say, was protecting his children over the weekend when a gunman tried to steal his vehicle.

According to Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo Onofri, officers responded to an overturned vehicle crash in the area of ​​Garfield Avenue and Farragut Avenue in Trenton at around 10:20 p.m. They found Johny Emmanuel Cruz-Rodriguez in an overturned Dodge Durango.

Officials said he was shot multiple times.

According to police, officers also found two uninjured children strapped into child seats in the back seat of the vehicle.

According to police, Cruz-Rodriguez was arrested at the scene at around 10:39 p.m.

Police officials said witnesses to the incident said it began with Cruz-Rodriguez standing at the open back of his car and an unknown gunman getting into the vehicle and trying to drive away.

Cruz-Rodriguez then attempted to climb into the back of the truck, but police said the gunman fired several shots and caused the vehicle to crash a short distance away.

The investigation is ongoing and police are asking anyone with information to contact Detective Chris Pullen of the Montgomery County Homicide Unit at (848) 992-6436 or Sergeant Will Jett at (609) 331-5010.

Information can also be emailed to [email protected].