CAMDEN – Attorney General Anne Milgram announced that a Camden man was convicted of attempted murder today by a Camden County jury for firing a handgun at three New Jersey State Police detectives during a foot chase in Camden in 2007.
According to Criminal Justice Director Deborah L. Gramiccioni, John Thomas-El, 30, of Camden, was convicted following a month-long trial before Superior Court Judge Stephen M. Holden in Camden.
Thomas-El was found guilty of first-degree attempted murder, second-degree aggravated assault with a weapon, second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, second-degree possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, and third-degree resisting arrest using violence.
The jury deliberated for approximately 14 hours before reaching its verdict. The case was prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General James Ruberton of the Division of Criminal Justice. Sentencing is scheduled for July 31.
The jury found that Thomas-El fired a semi-automatic handgun at three State Police detectives during a foot chase on July 24, 2007 in Camden. Detective Sergeant Mark Cunard, Detective William Stolinski and Detective Joseph Loschiavo were detailed at about 10 p.m. to a call of reported shots fired near the intersection of 8th and Tulip streets. The detectives were assigned, as members of a strategic investigations unit, to identify high crime areas involving illegal firearms and shootings affecting the quality of life in Camden.
As the detectives approached the intersection in an unmarked SUV, Thomas-El discharged several rounds into the air from a handgun. Thomas-El fled as the detectives got out of the SUV and approached him, wearing State Police vests and other police identifiers. The detectives chased Thomas-El on foot, but he repeatedly disobeyed their commands to stop. As Thomas-El continued to flee, he pointed the handgun at the detectives and fired one round at them. Detective Sergeant Cunard fired his service weapon three times at the suspect, striking him once in the upper right arm. Thomas-El fell to the sidewalk, and was placed under arrest.
