The Attorney General’s Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ) today released radio transmissions and police body-worn camera footage relating to the June 2, 2026, death of a civilian during an encounter with law-enforcement officers in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The decedent was previously identified as Donald Gardner (also known as Donald Capriotti), 52, of Atlantic City.
The encounter is under investigation by DCJ. The video and audio are being released pursuant to policies established by the Attorney General’s Office to promote the fair, impartial, and transparent investigation of fatal police encounters. Representatives of Mr. Gardner’s family were given an opportunity to review the recordings prior to their public release.
According to the preliminary investigation, officers assigned to the Atlantic City Police Department’s (ACPD) SWAT team, along with members of the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office SWAT team, attempted to execute a search warrant at a residence on the 100 block of North Florida Avenue on June 2, 2026. Upon arrival at the residence, officers observed that the front door was initially open, but was then closed by an individual inside the residence. Officers announced their presence and purpose at the door and then used a mechanical device to breach the door.
As the door opened, Mr. Gardner, who was inside the residence, fired multiple gunshots at the officers. A projectile hit one ACPD officer in the helmet; another ACPD officer sustained a gunshot wound to the leg. Officer Robert Reynolds of the ACPD, who was not struck by gunfire, responded and fired his weapon multiple times, striking Mr. Gardner. Mr. Gardner was subsequently pronounced deceased. A handgun was recovered from the residence. The two wounded officers were transported to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center.
The circumstances of the encounter and cause and manner of death are under investigation, which is ongoing. No further information is being released at this time.
The recordings are available to view here:
https://njoag.box.com/s/piswq1p7wai1d4mvx0t5rrhbt1nlpltu
A 2019 law, N.J.S.A. 52:17B-107(a)(2), requires the Attorney General’s Office to conduct investigations of a person’s death that occurs during an encounter with a law enforcement officer acting in the officer’s official capacity or while the decedent is in custody. It requires that all such investigations be presented to a grand jury to determine if the evidence supports the return of an indictment against the officer or officers involved.
Further information about how fatal police encounters are investigated in New Jersey under the Independent Prosecutor Directive can be found here.
