Officials say officers were originally at the man’s apartment for a well-being check.
The following information comes from the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office:
Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina and Evesham Township Police Chief Christopher Chew have announced that a Marlton man has been detained on charges of shooting at a township police officer who went to the man’s apartment for a well-being check.
At a June 30 detention hearing in Superior Court, Jeffrey R. Wass, 54, of the Niew Amsterdam Apartments on North Maple Avenue, was ordered held in the Burlington County Jail while he faces two counts of aggravated assault (second-degree and third-degree), unlawful possession of a weapon (second-degree), possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose (second-degree), certain persons not to have firearms (third-degree) and causing a risk of widespread injury or damage (fourth-degree).
The case is being prosecuted by Burlington County Assistant Prosecutor Michael Angermeier.
According to the prosecutor’s office, the investigation revealed on May 24, Evesham police and fire personnel were called to the apartment complex by a maintenance worker who entered Wass’ apartment to investigate the odor of natural gas and found him unconscious on the couch.
Upon entering the unit, officials the worker discovered the burners on the gas stove had been turned on, but were not lit. The worker turned off the burners, and PSE&G was called to the scene to shut down gas and electric service to the entire building to prevent an explosion.
Evesham police were able to establish verbal contact with Wass from the doorway of his apartment, but officials say Wass instructed officers not to enter. When several attempts to establish phone contact failed, an Evesham officer returned to the door of the apartment and yelled inside, asking him to answer his phone. Officials say Wass responded by firing a gunshot inside the apartment.
Officers took cover and after several unsuccessful attempts to re-initiate contact with Wass, a tactical robot was deployed by State Police. Images transmitted by the robot showed Wass was incapacitated on his sofa. Entry was then made and Wass was safely taken into custody.
Officials say a search warrant was authorized by the Hon. Susan L. Claypoole, and a 9mm pistol was recovered inside the apartment.
The case was investigated by the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office, the Evesham Police Department and the State Police.
The lead investigators were BCPO Detective Tim Van Fossen and Evesham Police Det. Michael Hatler.
