Knife-Wielding Man Fatally Shot By Cops In NJ Town: Attorney General

MIDDLE TWP., NJ — The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office released additional details about a fatal police encounter that happened Friday in Middle Township.

The incident took place in the Rio Grande section of the township and resulted in the death of an adult male civilian, according to the Attorney General’s Office.

According to the preliminary investigation, Middle Township police officers encountered a disabled vehicle at about 10:21 a.m. in the intersection of Route 9 and Satt Boulevard. The Attorney General’s Office said officers approached the vehicle and heard screaming from inside.

According to the preliminary investigation, officers made forced entry into the vehicle and saw an adult male civilian with a knife, holding the knife to an adult female civilian. The Attorney General’s Office said two officers then discharged their firearms, striking the male. The male civilian was later pronounced dead, according to the Attorney General’s Office.

The adult female civilian was transported to the hospital for medical treatment for multiple stab wounds, according to the preliminary investigation. No names were released in the information provided by the Attorney General’s Office.

The state office also outlined why it is handling the investigation. A 2019 law, N.J.S.A. 52:17B-107(a)(2), requires the Attorney General’s Office to investigate a person’s death that happens during an encounter with a law enforcement officer acting in the officer’s official capacity or while the person is in custody.

The law also requires that those investigations be presented to a grand jury. According to the Attorney General’s Office, the grand jury must determine whether the evidence supports the return of an indictment against the officer or officers involved.

The Attorney General’s Office said the details released Friday were part of a preliminary investigation, indicating the case remains under review.