By: Richard L. Smith
The Attorney General’s Office is investigating a fatal shooting by a police officer that occurred early Sunday, July 28, 2024, in Fort Lee.
A woman sustained fatal injuries in the incident, though her identity has not been released at this time.
According to the preliminary investigation, at approximately 1:25 a.m., officers from the Fort Lee Police Department responded to a call at "The Pinnacle" apartment complex on Main Street.
A man had called 911, reporting that his sister was experiencing a mental health crisis and needed to go to the hospital.
Officials said he indicated that his sister was holding a knife.
Upon arrival, an officer spoke to the caller outside the apartment unit in the hallway.
The officer then opened the apartment door and observed two women inside, one of whom appeared to be the sister.
The women told the officer not to come in and shut the door. The officer remained outside, knocking on the door and asking the women to open it as additional officers arrived.
When the occupants did not comply, the officers breached the door.
As the sister approached the officers in the hallway, one officer fired a single shot, striking her in the chest.
Officers immediately provided medical aid, and the woman was transported to Englewood Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at approximately 1:58 a.m.
A knife was recovered at the scene.
A 2019 law, N.J.S.A. 52:17B-107(a)(2), mandates that the Attorney General’s Office conduct investigations into any death that occurs during an encounter with a law enforcement officer acting in their official capacity or while the decedent is in custody.
All such investigations must be presented to a grand jury to determine if the evidence supports an indictment against the involved officer or officers.