In the quiet community of Winslow Township, New Jersey, a tragic and violent series of events unfolded on April 14, 2018, culminating in the death of 47-year-old Derek White. Early that morning, the tranquility of Woodhaven Way was shattered by the sound of gunfire, prompting a 911 call that would lead police to a grim discovery. Inside his home, officers found Mr. White, who had been fatally shot. Alongside him, a 26-year-old woman was discovered, critically wounded from the same violent outburst. The scene was further complicated by the alarming absence of two young children, aged two and three, who resided in the home.
The investigation quickly zeroed in on a suspect: 55-year-old Jose Pietri of Pennsville, the father of the missing children. A manhunt was initiated as authorities believed Pietri had fled with the toddlers. The search for Pietri's vehicle intensified, and it was eventually spotted near the scene of the crime.
A tense and dangerous police pursuit ensued, stretching across two counties and hurtling towards a final, violent confrontation in Millville.
The chase came to a dramatic end as officers cornered Pietri. Witnesses reported hearing gunshots as law enforcement engaged with the suspect after he exited his vehicle. In the ensuing confrontation, Pietri was shot by police and was later pronounced dead at a local hospital. In the midst of this chaotic scene, there was a moment of profound relief as the two missing children were located, unharmed. The Camden County Prosecutor's Office, along with the Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office, launched parallel investigations into the murder of Derek White and the officer-involved shooting of the suspect who had brought a day of terror to a quiet New Jersey neighborhood.
