BRIDGETON, NJ — A South Jersey man who died shortly after his arrest had originally contacted law enforcement for help. Then, he became confrontational and assaulted a state trooper, according to early investigative findings from the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General.
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The AG’s office, which announced the investigation into the death last week, identified the decedent Wednesday as Daniel King, 30, of Millville. King suffered a medical episode July 8 — the evening New Jersey State Police arrested him — and died the next night at the hospital, according to investigators.
At about 7 p.m. July 8, a state trooper was dispatched to a home on Fordville Road in Fairfield, Cumberland County. King had requested a police escort to retrieve property at the residence, the AG’s office said.
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King then became “confrontational” and later assaulted the trooper — continuing to do so until two civilians intervened and assisted in his arrest, authorities said. He was arrested and later charged with aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer.
The AG’s office didn’t publicly identify the state trooper.
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Officials took King to NJSP Bridgeton Station, where he suffered a medical episode and became unresponsive, the AG’s office said. Troopers attempted lifesaving efforts before EMS took King to Inspira Medical Center in Vineland. King’s condition continued to deteriorate until he died at 11:37 p.m. July 9, according to authorities.
The investigation is ongoing, and the AG’s office declined to release further information at this juncture.
A 2019 state directive requires the AG’s office to conduct an independent investigation into any death that occurs during an encounter with law enforcement or while the decedent is in custody.
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