Reservist killed after shooting two in New Jersey, then two police officers

FORT DIX, N.J. -- An Army reservist went on a rampage and shot four people before he was killed by police in an exchange of gunfire at a shopping center.

The reservist had been told he would be relieved of duty pending a psychological evaluation, base spokesman Kryn Westhoven said.

Authorities said he then grabbed a rifle from a soldier escorting him to clean out his locker and shot the officer Friday. The reservist wounded another military police officer before fleeing the base in a Department of Defense police cruiser, Westhoven said.

During the ensuing chase, the reservist ambushed two Chesterfield, N.J., police officers, shot them and took their car, said Sgt. Al Della Fave, a state police spokesman.

The reservist was killed when he exchanged fire with other police in shopping center in Chesterfield, about 10 miles from Fort Dix, Della Fave said.

The reservist briefly took a hostage, but the man was able to break away when the gunman's weapon jammed.

Westhoven said the gunman was a member of the 307th military police unit and was from Pennsylvania, but his name was not released.

The four victims were recovering from their injuries. None of their injuries were believed to be life-threatening.

Fort Dix specializes in training and mobilizing reserves and the National Guard. Troops have recently been called up to the base as part of President Bush's homeland defense initiative.

On the Net:

Fort Dix: http://www.dix.army.mil