The Attorney General’s Office of Public Integrity and Accountability released on Apr. 1 police body-worn camera and surveillance footage related to a fatal police-involved shooting that occurred on September 5, 2025, in Jersey City. The decedent was identified as Steven B. Sanchez, age 26, of Jersey City.
The release of the recordings is part of ongoing efforts to ensure transparency and impartiality in investigations involving deadly force by law enforcement officers. According to the Attorney General’s Office, these policies were established in 2019 to promote fair investigation practices. Representatives for Sanchez’s family were given an opportunity to review the footage before it was made public.
According to the investigation, two uniformed Jersey City officers were traveling southbound on John F. Kennedy Boulevard when Sergeant Ricardo Reyes made a U-turn after suspecting someone had shot at his vehicle. A civilian pointed out Sanchez as the person who allegedly fired at Reyes’ vehicle. Shortly after, other officers also made a U-turn seeking to investigate similar suspicions regarding their own vehicle.
Officers exited their vehicles near Clinton Avenue and observed Sanchez with what appeared to be a handgun, issuing commands for him to drop it. The report states that Sanchez pointed the weapon at officers before Sergeant Reyes exited his car and exchanged fire with him. After being struck by gunfire, Sanchez reportedly fired back while running toward Reyes; a struggle followed before he was taken into custody and provided medical aid until EMS arrived. He was later pronounced dead at Jersey City Medical Center that evening. Sergeant Reyes sustained non-life-threatening injuries; no other officers or civilians were hurt during the incident.
A compressed air pistol and several projectiles believed fired from it were recovered at the scene according to investigators.
State law requires that any death occurring during an encounter with law enforcement must be investigated by the Attorney General’s Office and presented to a grand jury for possible indictment consideration against involved officers.
The New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin holds statewide authority over legal standards and public safety matters according to its official website. The office offers services such as state legal representation, oversight of law enforcement agencies across all counties and municipalities, crime lab support, victim advocacy programs, consumer protection initiatives, regulation enforcement responsibilities throughout New Jersey according to its official website.
Further information about how fatal police encounters are investigated under New Jersey’s Independent Prosecutor Directive can be found on the Attorney General’s website.
