By: Richard L. Smith
The Attorney General’s Office is investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting on Friday, March 3, in Paterson.
Attorney General Matthew J.Platkin said one adult male civilian died during the encounter.
The identity of the decedent is not being released at this time.
According to the preliminary investigation, the shooting occurred today at approximately 12:30 p.m. in the area of Mill and Ellison streets in Paterson.
Attorney General Platkin said the suspect was wounded and transported to St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center in Paterson, where doctors pronounced him dead.
Attorney General Platkin said this incident is unrelated to the shooting of a NJ State Police officer, which occurred in Paterson earlier in the week.
A 2019 law, P.L. 2019, c. 1, requires the Attorney General’s Office to conduct investigations of a person’s 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.
It requires that all such investigations be presented to a grand jury to determine if the evidence supports the return of an indictment against the officer or officers involved.
The investigation is ongoing and no further information is being released at this time.
