ATLANTIC CITY — A suspect is dead and a police officer is in critical condition after two officers saw a robbery being committed outside an Atlantic City casino garage and exchanged gunfire, officials said.

The shooting happened around 2:30 a.m. Saturday after the officers saw three men trying to rob three others near a parking garage at Caesars casino, said acting Atlantic County prosecutor Diane Ruberton.

The wounded officer was shot and injured as he exited his vehicle. The second officer returned fire and struck one of the suspects, who was found dead a short distance away.

Police arrested two men Saturday night in connection with the shooting. Martell Chisholm, 19, of Millville, and Demetrius Cross, 28, of Bridgeton, each were being held on two counts of attempted murder, three counts of robbery, and weapons offenses, Ruberton said. It was not immediately known if they were represented by lawyers.

The dead suspect was identified as Jerome Damon, 25, of Camden. An autopsy is scheduled for Sunday.

The wounded officer, whose name was not released, was taken to nearby AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center. He underwent surgery Saturday morning and remained in critical condition Sunday.

Associated Press