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Edited by: TJVNews.com
The New Jersey Attorney General’s office has launched an investigation into the fatal shooting of a woman by a police officer who was responding to a 911 call about a mental health crisis at an apartment complex in Fort Lee, NJ. According to a report in The New York Times on Monday, this incident, which occurred over the weekend, adds to the growing scrutiny of police responses to mental health emergencies, especially in the wake of a similar fatal shooting in Illinois earlier this month.
The shooting took place at the Pinnacle apartment complex located at 69 Main Street, Fort Lee. The unidentified woman was shot once in the chest by an officer and subsequently died at Englewood Hospital despite receiving medical aid at the scene, as was reported by the NYT. The exact circumstances leading up to the shooting remain unclear, and the Attorney General’s office is actively investigating the events.
According to a statement from Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin, the incident began early Sunday when a man called 911, reporting that his sister was experiencing a mental health crisis, wielding a knife, and needed to be taken to the hospital, as per the information in the NYT report. Officers from the Fort Lee Police Department responded to the call at approximately 1:25 a.m.
Upon arriving, one of the first officers spoke with the caller in the hallway outside the apartment. When the officer opened the apartment door, he saw two women inside: one who appeared to be the caller’s sister and another unidentified woman, the NYT report said. The women quickly told the officer not to enter and shut the door.
Following the initial interaction, the officer remained outside the apartment, knocking on the door and requesting the women to open it while awaiting backup. The report in the NYT indicated that it was during these moments that the situation escalated, leading to the fatal shooting. The details of what transpired inside the apartment and the actions that prompted the officer to discharge his weapon are still being investigated.
This shooting comes shortly after a similar incident in Illinois on July 6, where Sonya Massey was fatally shot by police responding to a 911 call about a mental health crisis. The NYT report noted that Massey’s death sparked public outrage and protests, highlighting the contentious issue of law enforcement’s role in managing mental health emergencies.
The Fort Lee incident underscores the critical challenges faced by police officers in such situations. The need for specialized training in handling mental health crises has been a focal point of discussions on police reform. Critics argue that traditional police responses often exacerbate these crises, leading to unnecessary violence and fatalities.
Community leaders and mental health advocates are calling for a thorough and impartial investigation. They emphasize the importance of examining police protocols and the potential need for alternative responses to mental health crises.
The NYT report said that New Jersey has implemented an alternative response program known as Arrive Together, designed to address mental health crises with a more nuanced approach. This program pairs a law enforcement officer with a certified mental health screener and crisis specialist to respond to 911 calls involving mental health issues. While the program is active in all 21 New Jersey counties, Fort Lee is notably not a participant.
