ATLANTIC CITY — A councilman is facing calls for his resignation after posting a Facebook comment about last week's police shooting that left a robbery suspect dead and a police officer in the hospital.

"Don't think that just because suspects were apprehended that the POLICE are relaxing and hands are off their weapons," Councilman Moisse Delgado wrote.

Delgado's post came after the arrest of two suspects in the early Saturday morning shooting outside Ceasar's casino.

Officer Joshlee Vadell, 29, a nine-year veteran of the department, was shot in the head after he and his partner got out of their vehicle to interrupt a robbery in progress.

NJ State PBA President Patrick Colligan Townsqusre Media
NJ State PBA President Patrick Colligan (Townsquare Media)
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When shots rang out, the three robbery suspects and their three victims ran in different directions. Police returned fire, striking one of the suspects — Jerome Damon, 25, of Camden, who collapsed and died more than a block away.

After a manhunt that included a search for the three men who had been held up, Martell Chisholm, 19, of Millville, and Demetrius Cross, 28, of Bridgeton, were charged with first-degree attempted murder and robbery charges.

But Pat Colligan, president of the New Jersey State Policemen's Benevolent Association, blasted Delgado for "spew[ing] that stupidity from the safety of his keyboard."

An online petition calling for Delgado's resignation had garnered more than 100 votes Thursday morning.

The petition says Delgado's comments "were unwarranted and were inappropriate, especially in a time where the Atlantic City Police Department was in a state of heightened alert as a result of the actions that took place."

The petition says Delgado was attempting to divide the community.

Delgado disagrees.

"I'm not inciting any kind of panic. I'm not inciting a damn thing," he's quoted as saying in the Press of Atlantic City. "You can make a comment about things going on in the community regardless of your position."

Surveillance video of victims and robbery suspects:

Sergio Bichao is deputy digital editor at New Jersey 101.5. Send him news tips: Call 609-438-1015 or email sergio.bichao@townsquaremedia.com.

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