Mercer Times

The Attorney General’s Office has released the identities of the deceased and the officers involved in a fatal shooting at a hotel in Woodbridge, New Jersey on June 13, 2024. The civilian who died during the encounter has been identified as Karl Gregory, 46, of New York, New York.

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

Officers from both Edison and Woodbridge police departments located the unoccupied vehicle parked at Royal Albert’s Palace hotel on King Georges Post Road in Woodbridge. Authorities notified the New York City Police Department (NYPD), and NYPD detectives briefed Woodbridge police personnel on their criminal investigation.

On June 13, 2024, law enforcement was conducting an interview at the hotel when Mr. Gregory exited an elevator toward the lobby holding multiple bags. Upon seeing officers in the lobby, Mr. Gregory dropped his bags and reached into a black backpack. An exchange of gunfire ensued between Mr. Gregory and Woodbridge Officers Drew Krupinski and Justin Nerney and NYPD Detective Matthew Mauro.

Mr. Gregory, Officer Nerney, and Detective Mauro were struck during the exchange. Woodbridge officers rendered medical aid to Mr. Gregory until EMS personnel arrived; however, he was pronounced deceased at the scene. A handgun found near him was recovered along with multiple shell casings from different weapons for comparison with discharged firearms during the incident.

Officer Nerney and Detective Mauro each sustained gunshot wounds and were transported to a hospital in New Brunswick for treatment. Detective Mauro was released Thursday while Officer Nerney was released Friday. The investigation is ongoing with no further information being released at this time.

A 2019 law (N.J.S.A. 52:17B-107(a)2) mandates that the Attorney General’s Office conduct investigations into deaths occurring during encounters with law enforcement officers acting in their official capacity or while individuals are in custody. These investigations must be presented to a grand jury to determine if evidence supports indicting any involved officer or officers.

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