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A courageous good Samaritan is being praised by local police for intervening in a struggle between a police officer and a disorderly patron at a mall in Deptford, New Jersey.
According to a Facebook post released by the Deptford Township Police Department, the bystander’s swift action freed the officer from a potentially fatal guillotine chokehold, and ultimately led to the arrest of the suspect.
The incident began on the evening of May 19 after Officer Anthony Gatto confronted the patron, identified as 43-year-old Michael Carberry from Mickelton, on the second floor of the mall.
Gatto initially responded to a report of Carberry allegedly harassing other patrons. Despite repeated requests to leave, Carberry became confrontational, prompting Officer Gatto to take action.
Officer Gatto attempted to guide Carberry out of the mall, but the suspect refused to comply, shoving the officer’s hand away. When Gatto tried to arrest Carberry for trespassing and disorderly conduct, the situation escalated further.
Carberry assumed a “fighting stance” and proceeded to put Officer Gatto in a dangerous chokehold known as the “guillotine,” restricting the officer’s blood and oxygen supply.
At that moment, an unidentified bystander intervened during the struggle and helped Officer Gatto break free from the chokehold. With the assistance of the bystander, Gatto successfully restrained Carberry until additional officers arrived at the scene. As a result of the incident, Gatto sustained minor injuries and received prompt medical attention from emergency medical services personnel in Gloucester County.
Michael Carberry was subsequently taken into custody and booked at the Salem County jail. Authorities have charged him with a range of offenses, including criminal attempted homicide, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and defiant trespassing.
Police Chief Joe Smith commended the courageous bystander for their actions, expressing the importance of community support during challenging times.
“Now, more than ever, we rely on the strength of community and the strength of each other. We value our relationships with the residents and stakeholders of Deptford Township, and we are thankful that a mall patron had the bravery to intervene and assist our officer. For that, I am forever grateful,” Smith said.
The incident comes just two days after the funeral of Deptford Police Officer Robert Shisler, who tragically passed away on May 7 from injuries sustained during a struggle with an armed pedestrian in March. The community remains united in mourning Officer Shisler’s loss, and the recent events underscore the inherent risks faced by law enforcement officers in the line of duty.
Both the Deptford Police and the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office are still investigating the case.
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