Mercer Times

The Attorney General’s Office is investigating a fatal police-involved shooting that occurred on June 13, 2024, in the Fords section of Woodbridge Township, New Jersey.

According to the preliminary investigation, on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, officers from the Edison Police Department received information from an Automated License Plate Reader that a vehicle sought in connection with a shooting that occurred in New York City was in their area. The New York incident left the victim with life-threatening injuries.

Officers from the Edison and Woodbridge police departments responded to the Royal Albert’s Palace hotel on King Georges Post Road in Woodbridge, where they located the unoccupied vehicle parked in the lot. Authorities notified the New York City Police Department (NYPD). Detectives with the NYPD responded and briefed Woodbridge police personnel on the New York criminal investigation.

On Thursday, June 13, 2024, law enforcement at the hotel were conducting a civilian interview when, at approximately 12:21 a.m., the hotel’s elevator doors opened and the person of interest in the NYPD’s investigation exited toward the lobby holding multiple bags. According to the preliminary investigation, the individual dropped his bags and reached into a black backpack. Gunfire was then exchanged between law enforcement personnel and the individual. The person of interest and two police officers were struck during the exchange.

Woodbridge PD officers immediately began rendering medical aid to the individual until EMS personnel arrived. The individual was later pronounced deceased at the scene. A handgun located near him was recovered and preserved. Multiple shell casings fired from different weapons were also recovered and will be compared with firearms discharged during the incident.

One Woodbridge PD officer and one NYPD detective each sustained a gunshot wound. Both were transported to a New Brunswick hospital for treatment. At this time, both injured officers have been discharged and are in stable condition.

The investigation is ongoing and no further information is being released at this time.

A 2019 law, N.J.S.A. 52:17B-107(a)2, requires the Attorney General’s Office to conduct investigations of a person’s death that occurs during an encounter with a law enforcement officer acting in their official capacity or while the decedent is in custody. It mandates that all such investigations be presented to a grand jury to determine if evidence supports returning an indictment against involved officers.