By: Richard L. Smith
The Attorney General’s Office has released footage from two police body-worn cameras related to the death of a Mercer County man during a police encounter on March 8, 2024, in Hamilton Township.
The NJ AG office identified the decedent has as Vincent Correa, 44, of Hamilton.
The fatal shooting involving the police is currently under investigation by the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA).
The release of these recordings adheres to policies established by the Attorney General’s Office in 2019, which aim to ensure the fair, impartial, and transparent investigation of fatal police encounters.
Investigators previously met with Mr. Correa’s family to allow them to review the recordings before their public release.
Preliminary investigations indicate that uniformed officers from the Hamilton Township Police Department responded to a residence on Orchard Avenue at approximately 10:07 p.m. following a 911 call reporting a domestic dispute.
During the encounter, Mr. Correa exchanged gunfire with Officers Derek Fiabane and Paul Piromalli. Both Officer Fiabane and Mr. Correa sustained gunshot wounds.
Despite officers and emergency medical personnel rendering first aid, Mr. Correa was pronounced dead at the scene at 10:38 p.m.
A rifle and a handgun were recovered from his possession.
The injured officer was transported to a hospital with non-fatal injuries and has since been released.
The investigation by OPIA continues as they review the circumstances surrounding this tragic event.