The Attorney General’s Office is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred on Feb. 16 in Plainsboro Township
The decedent has been identified as Atiba Lewis, 45, of Plainsboro.
Officials said the officer who fired at Mr. Lewis was Detective Phillip Nguyen of the Middlesex County Sheriff’s Office.
According to the preliminary investigation, the shooting occurred shortly after 11:30 a.m. on Ravens Crest Drive in Plainsboro.
Officials said Law enforcement officers, including members of the Middlesex County Sheriff’s Office, were outside a residence when they encountered Mr. Lewis. One officer discharged his service weapon during the encounter, fatally wounding Mr. Lewis.
A knife was recovered near Mr. Lewis. Officers and emergency medical personnel rendered first aid to Mr. Lewis, who was transported to Princeton Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased at 12:10 p.m.
This investigation is being conducted pursuant to Attorney General Directive 2019-4, which implements the statutory requirement that the Attorney General’s Office investigates any death that occurs during an encounter with a law enforcement officer acting in the officer’s official capacity or while the decedent is in custody, and which establishes clear standards and procedures for conducting such investigations.
The investigation is ongoing and no further information is being released at this time.