By: Richard L. Smith
The New Jersey Attorney General's Office is conducting an investigation into a fatal police-involved shooting that occurred in Woodbridge on December 28, 2023.
The incident left one adult male fatally wounded, though his identity has not yet been disclosed.
This deadly confrontation followed a high-speed pursuit by officers from the Cranford Police Department, who were chasing a stolen vehicle.
The chase ended when the vehicle crashed near a southbound exit on the Garden State Parkway.
Post-crash, the situation escalated dramatically as the driver of the stolen vehicle and two police officers exchanged gunfire.
The driver of the vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene at approximately 12:04 a.m. on December 29. A firearm was discovered near the driver's body.
During the exchange, one officer was shot but sustained non-fatal injuries.
The officer received treatment at a local hospital and has since been released.
In compliance with a 2019 law (P.L. 2019, c. 1), the Attorney General's Office is mandated to investigate any death occurring during an encounter with law enforcement officers or while a person is in custody.
The law also stipulates that all such cases must be presented to a grand jury to determine if the evidence justifies an indictment against the involved officers.
As the investigation is still active, no additional details are being released at this time.