McGillis, 53, was discovered on Monday shortly before noon mortally wounded at the Route 440 Police Complex. Police officials said McGillis suffered a single gunshot wound to the chest. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
McGillis was an officer for 25 years until he retired from the force in 2000. He returned to the JCPD last year, serving as a civilian consultant to the department's K-9 unit.
At a press conference later Monday afternoon, Police Chief Thomas Comey said that based on preliminary investigation, it was believed that McGillis' death was the result of a gun-cleaning accident.
But by the end of the week, Hudson County Prosecutor Edward J. DeFazio said that based on a preliminary autopsy done at the state's Regional Medical Examiner's office in Newark, it was found that the semiautomatic handgun was apparently pressed against his body and that he had a contact gunshot wound to the chest, in what may have been a suicide attempt.
DeFazio also said the matter is pending further police investigation.Suicide or accident?
When Comey was asked about the initial autopsy findings and the possibility of a suicide attempt, he said he was going to talk to DeFazio and the investigators involved in the case.
"Should the word suicide be added to this?" Comey said. "Let's just say I'm still open in that case. There's no note, [and] there's other indications that it could have been accidental."
Comey continued, "Until we get a chance to analyze and speak to other people it may be a little premature...we have to take a step back, take a breath and make sure we get it right."
Comey also speculated that McGillis, in the process of cleaning his gun, could have been distracted and forgotten to have removed the ammunition before resuming his cleaning.
Comey said McGillis was alone in his office at the Route 440 Police Complex and that the shot may have not been heard immediately by people working in the complex. Was highly decorated
A resident of Roselle Park, McGillis leaves behind a family including a son, Matthew, who serves in the Marine Corps and is currently stationed in the Middle East.
McGillis joined the JCPD in September of 1976 after serving two years with the Plainfield Police Department. In his time on the Jersey City police force, he was the recipient of five commendations, a dozen Excellent Police Service honors, and a Community Service and Class E awards.
When he retired, McGillis was a member of the department's Emergency Service Unit as a K-9 officer. Sidebar Three JC cops honored for solving deli owner murder
Three Jersey City police officers were honored at a ceremony at City Hall on Wednesday for their work in solving the 2006 murder of Heights deli owner Fidelina Claros.
The ceremony was to have taken place on Monday, but was rescheduled due to the tragic death of Officer Robert McGillis.
Detectives Fermin Sanchez and Paul Matos received commendations and Officer Scott McNulty received a promotion to the rank of detective. They all received kudos from Police Chief Thomas Comey, Mayor Jerramiah Healy and other law enforcement officials.
Claros was shot to death on Oct. 30 in the G&P Deli & Grocery at Webster Avenue and Ferry Street in the city's Heights section in a robbery gone bad. She was 47.
Antwan Shannon, 41, the alleged shooter of Claros, and Richard Salcedo, 25, the alleged getaway car driver, were charged in court on Mar. 22.
Comey lauded the officers for solving a murder that "overwhelmed even the most seasoned of officers."
Healy, who resides a block a half from the scene of the murder, congratulated the officers on cracking an "ugly, terrible case."
Sanchez, a 13-year veteran of the police force, said afterwards, "I feel happy to be acknowledged. but I feel happier for the [Claros] family, to bring some closure."
He also said the honors to himself, Matos, and McNulty were "bittersweet" in light of the death of Officer McGillis on Monday. - RK Ricardo Kaulessar can be reached at rkaulessar@hudsonreporter.com
Post a Comment