Police shoot woman in life crisis in New Jersey apartment

🔴 Police called to apartment because of woman with knife

🔴 Her brother told the telephone operator she was having a mental health crisis, officials say

🔴 Police officers were prevented from entering the house

FORT LEE – Authorities are investigating a fatal early morning police shooting in North Jersey.

According to the Attorney General’s Office, police were called to The Pinnacle apartment complex on Main Street around 1:30 a.m. Sunday.

The man who called 911 told the dispatcher that his sister was in a mental health crisis, authorities said.

She had a knife with her and had to go to the hospital, the man said on the phone.

The brother met a police officer in the hallway of his apartment, authorities said.

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After a brief conversation, the police officer opened the door to the apartment and saw two women inside. One was the man’s sister, but authorities did not disclose who the other woman was.

Both women ordered him to leave the apartment and then slammed the door in the officer’s face, authorities said.

The police officer repeatedly knocked on the door and ordered the women to open it. When more police officers arrived at the scene, they broke down the door.

According to authorities, the caller’s sister then “approached the officers in the hallway” and one of the officers fired his weapon once.

The shot hit the woman in the chest. She was taken to hospital and pronounced dead shortly before 2 p.m.

According to officials, a knife was present at the crime scene.

The OAG is investigating the fatal police shooting. Any death that occurs during an encounter with police must be investigated by the agency under New Jersey state law.

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