Police-Involved Fatal Shooting Under Investigation In Jersey Shore Town: Prosecutor

MIDDLE TWP., NJ — A fatal police-involved shooting that happened Friday in Middle Township is under investigation, according to the Cape May County Prosecutor's Office.

Few details about the shooting have been released as of Friday afternoon.

Shortly before 11 a.m., Middle Township police shared an update saying that the area of Route 9 and Saltt Boulevard in the Rio Grande section of the township would be closed for "a period of time."

"Per standard protocol for incidents involving the death of an individual during an encounter with law enforcement officers, the scene has been secured, and a thorough investigation is underway," Prosecutor Jeffrey Sutherland said. "There is no ongoing threat to the public. No further details regarding the condition of those involved or the circumstances leading to the incident are available at this time."

The Attorney General's Office is conducting the investigation.

"Earlier today, Middle Township police officers were involved in a shooting in our community," Middle Township Mayor Christopher Leusner said in a statement. "I recognize how deeply an event like this affects everyone involved, including the individual and their family, our officers, and our residents, and our thoughts are with all of them."

Leusner urged residents to avoid spreading unconfirmed accounts of the incident and to wait for official information.

"To protect the integrity of that investigation, all information about the incident, including the identities of those involved and any video, will be released at the appropriate time by the New Jersey Attorney General's Office, not by the Township," Leusner said.

Patch will update as more information becomes available.