By: Yuritza Arroyo
The Attorney General’s Office is investigating a fatal police-involved shooting that occurred on February 4 in Fort Lee; Mohamed Bounaouar, 42, of Las Vegas, Nevada, sustained fatal injuries during the incident.
According to Fort Lee Police, officers responded to a 9-1-1 call regarding a residence on John Street in Fort Lee, indicating an individual had a knife and was acting in a threatening manner.
According to the Police, officers, along with the Fort Lee Emergency Services Unit and the Fort Lee Fire Department, responded and escorted residents from the home; however, one resident remained inside, and officers could not reach the resident.
During the attempted evacuation, officers encountered Mr. Bounaouar wielding a knife.
During the interaction with Mr. Bounaouar, Officer Gabriel Avella, Detective John Gallo, Detective Stephen Domenick, and Officer Matthew Lyle discharged their firearms.
According to authorities, Mr. Bounaouar was pronounced dead at approximately 10:39 a.m. Officers recovered a knife near the decedent.
Authorities say this investigation is being conducted pursuant to the Attorney General Directive, which implements the statutory requirement that the Attorney General’s Office conduct the investigation of 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.