Police Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Video Released of NJ Backhoe Rampage That Ended with Fatal OIS

“He’s going into houses, Jim. We’ve gotta do something now,” one officer declares as he races after the vehicle. Footage from Vineland Police Sgt. Louis Platania’s body camera shows him exit his car and run toward the backhoe.

January 14, 2022
Video Released of NJ Backhoe Rampage That Ended with Fatal OIS

 

2 min to read


The New Jersey state Attorney General’s Office has released video footage showing the chaotic scene as a man driving a backhoe smashed cars—including police cars—and homes in Vineland before he was shot to death by a police officer on Dec. 18.

Joshua E. Gonzalez, 20, of Millville, was shot after police tried for a half hour to stop him as he crushed police vehicles, toppled an ambulance and rampaged through a neighborhood, according to authorities.

Ad Loading...

The attorney general's office released body camera footage, along with surveillance and cellphone videos, and 911 calls related to the incident on Thursday afternoon and also met with Gonzalez’s family to review the footage, NJ.com reports.

The incident began around 5 a.m. when Vineland officers received 911 calls reporting that someone driving a backhoe had struck a car at a Vineland business and driven off.

Body camera footage shows officers converging on the yellow vehicle as it tears through the Penn Lincoln Mobile Home Park in the pre-dawn darkness.

“Our house is completely demolished,” a woman reported in a 911 call that was released by Cumberland County on Thursday in response to an public records request about the incident. “It just took out the entire front of our house. It’s now taking out other houses as well … I can’t get out of my front door.”

“He’s going into houses, Jim. We’ve gotta do something now,” one officer declares as he races after the vehicle. Footage from Vineland Police Sgt. Louis Platania’s body camera shows him exit his car and run toward the backhoe.

Ad Loading...

He fires multiple shots, blowing out a window in the cab. The driver slumps over as the vehicle continues out of control and comes to a stop when it plows into a tree.

More Patrol

Group of men and women seated in a circle around a room as one woman stands and leads discussion.
PatrolApril 9, 2026

Warriors Heart’s Mission to Serve America’s Veterans and First Responders

Warriors Heart works closely with federal and community partners to expand treatment options for veterans and first responders. By combining specialized clinical care with a peer-driven recovery environment, the program helps warriors rebuild strength, restore relationships, and rediscover purpose.

Read More →
Black background with police card lights and logo for POLICE, with headline in yellow: How are LE Boots Different for Women
Patrolby Wayne ParhamApril 9, 2026

How are LE Boots Different for Women?

Boots fit differently for men and women, so how are law enforcement boots for women designed differently from those worn by men? In this video, Kyle Ferdyn, of Garmont Tactical, shares all the details.

Read More →
Man standing in desert talking on radio.
PatrolApril 9, 2026

Motorola Solutions Extends Resilient, Mission-Critical Communications and AI with T-Satellite from T-Mobile

A collaboration between Motorola Solutions and T-Mobile helps deliver uninterrupted situational awareness and access to AI wherever the mission leads, enabled by satellite connectivity for Motorola Solutions' APX NEXT smart radios.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Las Vegas skyline at dusk with headline 2026 Vision FirstNet Users Summit, dates for the event, and diagonally at bottom right words Registration Open.
PatrolApril 9, 2026

Registration Now Open for 2026 Vision FirstNet Users Summit

Registration is now open for the 2026 Vision FirstNet Users Summit. The Summit is an opportunity to connect with local and federal leaders, specifically the FirstNet Authority, which is hosting a track at the event this year.

Read More →
Two chest rig packs in camo in front of a blue themed SWAT background and a logo for Tasmanian Tiger.
PatrolApril 6, 2026

Tasmanian Tiger Launches Modular Chest Rig 4xM4 & Modular Chest Rig Pack for LE

Tasmanian Tiger has expanded its Modular Load-Carrying System with the new Modular Chest Rig 4xM4 and Modular Chest Rig Pack. Both provide adaptable, low-profile load options for military, law enforcement, and SWAT missions.

Read More →
Security worker watching computer monitors, with a white area at top with a logo for ZeroEyes.
PatrolApril 2, 2026

ZeroEyes Expands from AI Gun Detection to Knife Detection & Suspect Tracking

ZeroEyes has launched three new product categories to extend beyond firearms to address additional acute safety threats and basic security needs. Knife detection and suspect tracking are now also available.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
GALLS logo against a white box set atop a blue-tinted map of Tennessee.
PatrolApril 2, 2026

GALLS Acquires CMS Uniforms

GALLS has acquired CMS Uniforms and Equipment, Inc., a prominent regional provider based in Nashville, Tennessee. CMS Uniforms, founded in 2000, has built a reputation for delivering stellar customer service and managing complex uniform programs for more than 670 accounts.

Read More →
Police drone hovering over its charging nest against a blue sky background.
PatrolMarch 26, 2026

Brinc Unveils Guardian, Launching the Next Era of Drone as First Responder

Brinc’s new Guardian delivers 24/7 operations, Starlink connectivity, and a robotic charging nest that can swap batteries and change payload configurations without human intervention.

Read More →
image of trooper, shown from waist down, standing beside a police cruiser along the road and at right a headline Slow Down Move Over.
PatrolMarch 19, 2026

Colorado State Patrol Releases 2025 Struck-By Analysis

The Colorado State Patrol, after analyzing its 2025 struck-by incidents, identified one area for improvement: using traffic cones to provide advanced warning before the cruiser's location. Here is the agency’s final data.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Image of a group of men in business attire receiving an award set against a black background and a Streamlight logo up top.
PatrolMarch 19, 2026

Streamlight Names 144th Marketing Group Law Enforcement Sales Rep Agency of the Year

Streamlight has recognized the 144th Marketing Group as its 2025 Sales Rep Agency of the Year Award for the Law Enforcement market.

Read More →