NYPD officer shot, suspect killed during New Jersey investigation, officials say
An NYPD detective and a Woodbridge, New Jersey, police officer are recovering at the hospital after a shootout Thursday, according to officials.
The suspect is dead, officials said.
“We know crime doesn’t stop at the Hudson River,” New Jersey state Attorney General Matthew Platkin said.
Platkin’s office is now investigating the incident.
“Through the use of our automated license plate reader technology, New Jersey law enforcement officers were able to locate a person of interest,” Platkin said.
At a news conference, Platkin said the license plate belonged to a suspect in connection with a murder case in New York City.
That technology led the officers to the Royal Albert Palace Hotel late Wednesday.
“Law enforcement officers encountered the person of interest and there was an exchange of gunfire,” Platkin said.
One officer was shot in the back, another in the foot.
The name of the suspect is being withheld, and pending notification of next of kin.
“No member of our law enforcement community, just as no member of our public, should be subject to violence while performing their duties or going about their lives,” Platkin said.
There’s been an outpouring of support for the officers from officials.
“The NYPD Detective who was shot and injured in Woodbridge, N.J. underscores the courage and commitment by members of the Detectives’ Endowment Association to put themselves in extreme danger to ensure violent, career criminal’s face justice,” Paul DiGiacomo, the president of the Detectives’ Endowment Association, wrote in a statement. “We are grateful to not be planning a funeral, and salute the brave Detectives and Woodbridge Police Officers.”
At least six NYPD officers, including the one on Wednesday, have been shot in the line of duty this year, according to officials.
Detective Jonathan Diller was killed in Far Rockaway, Queens, in late March.
The attorney general said the footage of what happened in Woodbridge will probably be released at the end of the investigation.
By law, the attorney general must bring this case to a grand jury.
The grand jury will vote whether to bring criminal charges against the officers.
If no charges are filed, the matter will be referred to the officers’ employers to decide whether any disciplinary action is needed.