N.J. cop, suspect struggle; both shot

A naked stabbing suspect got into a struggle with a police officer Monday, leading a colleague to open fire and kill the suspect.

The first officer was shot and seriously wounded, and authorities are investigating whether she was hit by friendly fire or by the suspect, who had grabbed her gun.

Police were called to the neighborhood in troubled Camden after reports that a man had stabbed someone. The suspect was identified as Lamont Morton, 19.

When police arrived, they found Lamont Morton naked, holding a knife and wandering the neighborhood, said Camden County prosecutor's office spokesman Jason Laughlin.

Authorities said an officer confronted Morton and fired her weapon at him when he charged toward her. They struggled and he took control of her weapon, though it was unclear whether he fired it, authorities said. Another officer then shot Morton several times, killing him, Laughlin said.

Seven bullets struck Morton, said acting Camden County Prosecutor Joshua Ottenberg.

The female officer, a 15-year member of the force, was struck by four bullets, Ottenberg said. One grazed her forehead, two hit her right shoulder and one hit her left forearm.

She was listed in serious but stable condition Monday night.