A woman was shot and killed by a police officer early on Sunday morning in New Jersey; an investigation is still under progress. As is customary in any case of a police shooting, the state has taken over the investigation.
Following a response to a building around 1:25 a.m. by Fort Lee police officers, the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office has begun an investigation. The woman’s brother dialed 911 and informed the dispatcher that she was experiencing a mental health episode and that she was carrying a knife.
This is what investigators claim occurred
Investigators may be seen in the video footage taken at the Pinnacle Apartments on Main Street. On Sunday night, the AG’s office made information public. They said that a 911 caller reported that his sister was experiencing a mental health crisis, that she needed to be sent to the hospital, and that she was carrying a knife.
When an officer arrived, the caller was waiting outside the apartment door. When the policeman opened the door, two women warned him not to enter and to close the door.
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More responding officers kicked in the door after repeatedly asking her to open up. According to authorities, the woman was shot once in the chest by an officer as she got closer.
Although a knife was found at the scene, according to the AG’s office, investigators were unsure if the woman was carrying it when she was shot by the officers. He needs to know more, according to a neighbor.
“So they already knew that this person had a knife, so why deadly force? Why not use some other tactics?” the neighbor stated. “Because I have family who also have mental issues and I’m calling the cops. I trust them. I’m not calling them to cause more harm.”
