Georgia CEO Fatally Shot By New Jersey Cop

DeFarra Gaymon

Police are investigating the death of Credit Union of Atlanta CEO Defarra 'Dean' Gaymon, who was fatally shot by an undercover New Jersey cop on Friday night. According to a press release from the Essex County Prosecutor's Office, the undercover detective had been investigating complaints of "public sexual activity" in Branch Brook Park in Newark, and had made one arrest with his partner. During the arrest, the detective lost a pair of handcuffs, and retreated into the park to search for them. That's when he claims he was approached by Gaymon, who was "engaged in a sex act" at the time (the WSJ says he was masturbating).

After the detective flashed his badge, he says Gaymon "assaulted" him and fled, allegedly shouting threats at the officer. The press release says, "Mr. Gaymon then lunged at and attempted to disarm the officer while reaching into his own pocket. Fearing for his life, the officer discharged his service weapon, striking Mr. Gaymon once." Gaymon, however, was unarmed.

The 48-year-old, a father of four in town for his high school reunion, died of a shot to the stomach at University Hospital. The officer was also brought to the hospital to be treated for trauma, and wasn't able to give an account of what happened until Monday. Because he is the only witness, Gaymon's family has questioned the validity of his story. The family said in a statement, "We know that the police killed an innocent man, with no history of or disposition towards violence." Police have asked any other witnesses to step forward.

The Credit Union of Atlanta wrote on their website, "Credit Union of Atlanta extends condolences to the family of DeFarra "Dean" Gaymon who passed away suddenly July 16, 2010. We are deeply saddened at the loss of Mr. Gaymon and offer our most sincere sympathy to the Gaymon family." Another reunion organizer told the Times, “All the people that knew him say you never met a kinder, nicer, more gentle person, and they’re stunned about what happened."

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jaya Saxena in News on July 21, 2010 11:23 AM

Comments [rss]

nik13

Cat's out of a bag. ACLU & gay rights groups have landed in NJ. NJ.com as some point spells dead man's mane as Gayman. Ouch.

Rocknrope

He looks a bit swishy in that photo.

scrappymcgee

Al Sharpton just doesn't know what to do.

NannyState

I'm sure The View can sort this all out...

lourebel

In the park at night? He was shot at 6PM. Who goes cruising for sex in a park IN BROAD DAYLIGHT? Story sounds fishy to me.......

GoldenRuler

Not all 'parks' are manicured with flagstones and fountains - it doesn't have to be dark for there to be places to be hidden.

TK

He got off before he got off.

BDS=(Boycott.Divest.Sanction)

his name was Gaymon?

jeez. sometimes life seems more like a screenplay to me than random reality. I mean really? Gaymon?

Spirit of 76

My first thought was that the cop concocted the whole story after he found out what the guy's name was. But then again, it seems suspicious that the man was in a Newark park at night. Probably a little bit of truth in both stories, as in most cases.

Splicer

Why don't I believe the police version of this story?

andoverboy

he wasn't on drugs. plenty of fathers-of-four get some diggle doggle on the side from fellow fathers.

GoldenRuler

totally. closet cases often make dangerous choices, because they are so afraid of being found out. if only he had just accepted himself, he wouldn't feel the need to be at a park in Newark at night. so sad.

Politburo

It wasn't at night. It was 6 pm.

jpeditor

"if only he had just accepted himself, he wouldn't feel the need to be at a park in Newark at night. so sad."

So all those guys in the parks are all in the closet?

GoldenRuler

as I was not there to question each and everyone, there's no way for me to know.

in this particular case, a (presumably heterosexual) father of four was hanging out in a park in Newark at night. as any of us would assert, the only reason to be in a park in Newark at night is for illicit sex, or drugs. since he was masturbating, and does not appear to have a drug problem, and fought off the cop and fled, in hopes of not being arrested, the assumption is made that he was on the DL - and often, yes, these are men that are either gay or bisexual but cannot deal with their sexuality, and choose instead to alleviate their desires in unsavory ways.