DeFarra Gaymon, a father of four and the CEO of Credit Union of Atlanta drove to New Jersey from Atlanta to attend his 30th Montclair High School reunion, which he helped to spearhead. Gaymon never made it to his planned affair, though, because he was shot to death last Friday by a Newark police officer. On Tuesday, the Essex County prosecutor released the facts of what allegedly occurred the night Gaymon was killed.
The officer who pulled the trigger and whose name has not been released told investigators that he and his partner had been doing undercover work as the result of complaints about public sexual acts in Newark's Branch Brook Park. The park is a notorious sexual pickup spot for men looking to have sexual encounters with other men. There are also male prostitutes who stroll the park looking for conquests. Officers have made well over 200 arrests in the park over an 18-month period.
The eight-year veteran, who had been involved in an arrest right before Gaymon was shot, lost his handcuffs while trying to pursue the perpetrator. When the officer went back to retrace his steps in an effort to find his cuffs, he was approached by Gaymon. According to the prosecutor, the officer claims that the 48-year-old man propositioned him for sex all while engaged in a masturbatory act.
When the officer identified himself by flashing his badge, Gaymon allegedly assualted him, panicked and then fled. The officer gave chase. The men found themselves at the edge of a pond, where the officer tried to kick his legs out from under him, but this move failed.
The prosecutor went on to state that Gaymon got up "turned toward the officer, reached in to his pocket and attempted to disarm him. At that time, the officer, fearing for his life, fired his weapon."
There were no witnesses to the shooting.
Gaymon was shot once in the abdomen and died several hours later at University Hospital in Newark.
Kelly Gaymon Armstrong, the victim's sister, doubts the officer's version of what actually happened:
"I do not believe that story. Not one bit. That is not my brother's character. That is a made-up story ... an absolute lie. The truth will come out."
She is calling for an independent law enforcement agency to further investigate the case.
So far no charges have been filed against the officer in question. He was treated for trauma at a hospital and will be able to resume his duties after he receives a green light from his doctor.
14-July-10 - An Iowa Tea Party group recently caused an uproar by creating a billboard that compares President Barack Obama to Adolf Hitler and Vladimir Lenin.
14-July-10 - An Iowa Tea Party group recently caused an uproar by creating a billboard that compares President Barack Obama to Adolf Hitler and Vladimir Lenin.
14-July-10 - Cad-about-town Tiki Barber has been hit with a $1-million lawsuit by a fitness company that has rendered him "worthless overnight" as its spokesperson, because he cheated on his pregnant wife.
14-July-10 - Fox News reporter Megyn Kelly (pictured) and New York Post columnist Kirsten Powers went at it recently regarding charges from a former Justice Department lawyer who claims that civil rights cases in which whites are the victims are ignored.
13-July-10 - A criminal investigation should be opened for two officers who Tasered and pepper-sprayed a 57-year-old Georgia woman who called police to report a prowler.
13-July-10 - Aimee L. Sword, 36, pled guilty to having sex with the biological son she gave up for adoption, whom she later tracked down on the Internet via Facebook.
13-July-10 - The Gay-Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) has gone hard against ABC and "The View" about recent comments made by host Sherri Shepherd and guest host D.L. Hughley.
08-July-10 - In many ways, Gary Coleman, Maia Campbell and Michael Jackson represent a major tragedy of the black community: undiagnosed and untreated mental health issues, especially clinical depression, in all its variations. It would be a waste to not learn lessons from these stars, so that we can help so many others.
08-July-10 - Johannes Mehserle, a former Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) officer (pictured), has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the case of Oscar Grant, whom he shot and killed on a train station platform in Oakland, Calif., on New Year's Day 2009.
07-July-10 - According to Peace FM Online, "The Juice," O.J. Simpson, is tying the knot behind bars. The once-upon-a-time gridiron great is all set to marry a lady love, whom he has never even met face to face.
02-July-10 - The real hypocrites oath will forever be linked to University of Georgia Athletic Director Damon Evans, who got busted for drunk driving after cutting an anti-drunk-driving public service announcement for the university
What really gets me is when a family member refuses to believe that their family member is gay when the story comes out that he was in an area well-known for cruising, miles away from where he was supposed to be, like he was in park for something else. To say that the story doesn’t make sense, when its too much cause to prove otherwise (i.e. the picture above gives you the answer), just further proves her denial. Not all cops are liars and not all cops fabricate that much of a story just to make someone look bad. When will people come to the realization that there are married closeted gay men out there that cruise while away. This is one of those cases where urges got the best of the person. Sooner or later, it was going to be something a lot worse the guy could’ve caught besides a bullet from his double life. Just being honest
The story is not about if the man was gay it's about if the shooting was justified. Of course the police officer is going to make his story look good because there weren't any witnesses. Its his story against the dead man's story & Michele before you comment you need to do an investigation on some of the males in your family, then see how well you can say DL!
The article makes alot of claims about what this guy allegedly did besides him possibly being gay. The sister's comment could be referring to it not being in her brother's character to assault someone knowing he was a police officer, flee the scene, and then eventually turn towards the officer, reach into his pocket and attempt to disarm him after one of the officer's moves didn't work on him. Honestly, it does sound a little far-fetched for someone that isn't noted to have a criminal history...kinda like a scene out of a movie. If the officer had lost his cuffs in a previous arrest, what was the purpose of chasing this guy? How was the officer going to subdue him? Just nicely walk him out of the park while holding his hand? You can't just read her comment and say she's denying him possibly being gay or bi-sexual. Maybe she's denying the whole alleged super hero vs villain showdown that led to her brother losing his life.
An unarmed lite skinned american male is shot and killed by police and all we care about is his sexual private life. That those paid to protect and serve killed a productive citizen is lost in the nonsense of what was he doing there. He is still dead and governance will continue to hide racist doctrine under the color of law. Why do I keep thinking I am living in the Orwell story Animal Farm. Oy Veh! El Jibaro De Lytle Creek
To Slick: I think what Jason C. meant was...what could be worse, the man is dead and his wife could possibly have AIDS...although...death is worse...ok this whole story stinks!!!...and no..not all officers lie...but i think this one is lying.
I believe part of the story except......Why would Gaymon ASSAULT the officer?.....Once the officer identifies himself, you would not hit him. Your first reaction would be to run away...not assault..This makes no sense to me....so I don't believe he assaulted the officer.....But I do believe Gaymon was Gay and on the low.......Too much of this is going on and it needs to stop!
The family should investigate the shooting. I think that's where their fight is and not with whether or not he was gay. This man should not be dead. Something stinks here and I think it's the officer.
all i have to say i dont know this family but i believe the story the officer is telling isnt true and its only his word because the victim yes i said victim is not here to defend himself. the man was an ceo he had money so to me that story sounds foolish
You are a dumbass and you don't know what you are talking about. So please shut the hell up and get a clue better yet call sherlock holmes and he can help you get a clue
Alright now Jason C you're suppose to be smarter than this. Come on now, you can't judge someone by their picture or tell if they're "gay" (or anything else) just by looking at them. But other than that, good comment.
First Phase Of Jury Selection Completed In Zimmerman Trial…
Obama Gives Speech At Historic Landmark
Comments: (111)
Add a comment
By: Jason C. on 7/21/2010 11:17AM
What really gets me is when a family member refuses to believe that their family member is gay when the story comes out that he was in an area well-known for cruising, miles away from where he was supposed to be, like he was in park for something else.
To say that the story doesn’t make sense, when its too much cause to prove otherwise (i.e. the picture above gives you the answer), just further proves her denial. Not all cops are liars and not all cops fabricate that much of a story just to make someone look bad. When will people come to the realization that there are married closeted gay men out there that cruise while away. This is one of those cases where urges got the best of the person. Sooner or later, it was going to be something a lot worse the guy could’ve caught besides a bullet from his double life. Just being honest
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: No1'sname on 7/24/2010 10:12AM
The story is not about if the man was gay it's about if the shooting was justified. Of course the police officer is going to make his story look good because there weren't any witnesses. Its his story against the dead man's story & Michele before you comment you need to do an investigation on some of the males in your family, then see how well you can say DL!
Report This
By: Slick on 7/22/2010 8:16AM
How could you say that things could have been worse..what's worse than getting shot, losing your life and being exposed?
Report This
By: Michael Rochelle on 7/22/2010 9:06AM
The article makes alot of claims about what this guy allegedly did besides him possibly being gay. The sister's comment could be referring to it not being in her brother's character to assault someone knowing he was a police officer, flee the scene, and then eventually turn towards the officer, reach into his pocket and attempt to disarm him after one of the officer's moves didn't work on him. Honestly, it does sound a little far-fetched for someone that isn't noted to have a criminal history...kinda like a scene out of a movie. If the officer had lost his cuffs in a previous arrest, what was the purpose of chasing this guy? How was the officer going to subdue him? Just nicely walk him out of the park while holding his hand? You can't just read her comment and say she's denying him possibly being gay or bi-sexual. Maybe she's denying the whole alleged super hero vs villain showdown that led to her brother losing his life.
Check out my humor column "I Don't Wanna Grow Up, And You Can't Make Me" at http://www.justmichael.net/blog
Michael
Report This
By: El Jibaro De Lytle Creek on 7/22/2010 10:29AM
An unarmed lite skinned american male is shot and killed by police and all we care about is his sexual private life. That those paid to protect and serve killed a productive citizen is lost in the nonsense of what was he doing there. He is still dead and governance will continue to hide racist doctrine under the color of law.
Why do I keep thinking I am living in the Orwell story Animal Farm. Oy Veh!
El Jibaro De Lytle Creek
Report This
By: Gail on 7/22/2010 1:01PM
To Slick: I think what Jason C. meant was...what could be worse, the man is dead and his wife could possibly have AIDS...although...death is worse...ok this whole story stinks!!!...and no..not all officers lie...but i think this one is lying.
I believe part of the story except......Why would Gaymon ASSAULT the officer?.....Once the officer identifies himself, you would not hit him. Your first reaction would be to run away...not assault..This makes no sense to me....so I don't believe he assaulted the officer.....But I do believe Gaymon was Gay and on the low.......Too much of this is going on and it needs to stop!
The family should investigate the shooting. I think that's where
their fight is and not with whether or not he was gay. This man
should not be dead. Something stinks here and I think it's the
officer.
Report This
By: tanya on 7/22/2010 1:15PM
all i have to say i dont know this family but i believe the story the officer is telling isnt true and its only his word because the victim yes i said victim is not here to defend himself. the man was an ceo he had money so to me that story sounds foolish
Report This
By: Cowboy on 7/22/2010 6:06PM
You are a dumbass and you don't know what you are talking about. So please shut the hell up and get a clue better yet call sherlock holmes and he can help you get a clue
Report This
By: rdw on 7/22/2010 7:00PM
"The picture above gives you the answer."
Alright now Jason C you're suppose to be smarter than this. Come on now, you can't judge someone by their picture or tell if they're "gay" (or anything else) just by looking at them. But other than that, good comment.
Report This
By: Frugalosity on 7/22/2010 7:54PM
Most cops are dishonest. They need to be punished to the fullest. When it happens in your family, you will speak differently...
Report This