N.J. Officer Slain; Standoff Ensues With Suspect

A gunman opened fire Thursday on two police officers and a prosecutor’s investigator as they tried to force their way into his home to search for weapons. At least one officer was killed, authorities said.

Witnesses said as many as 100 shots were fired in the gun battle between the suspect and the three men. The gunman barricaded himself inside the house with the investigator and held dozens of officers at bay well into the night.

The investigator and one officer were shot inside the house, but the officer managed to escape, despite bullet wounds in his chest, leg and hand.

Haddon Heights Officer Richard Norcross underwent surgery and was expected to survive, said Camden County Assistant Prosecutor Joseph Audino. The investigator’s condition was not known.

Norcross’ brother, Officer John Norcross, 24, was shot in the temple as he stood across the street. He died later at a hospital, Police Chief Theodore Taylor said.

Authorities were talking by phone to the alleged gunman, identified by police as Glenn Nelson, who lives in the house in this Philadelphia suburb. Nelson, who has undergone sex-change surgery, also goes by the name Leslie, officials said.