Two police officers were wounded and a suspect was killed during a shooting at a banquet hall in Middlesex County early Thursday morning. The incident, which occurred during an ongoing investigation, is under scrutiny by the New Jersey Attorney General’s office.
Authorities responded to reports of a possible active shooter at Royal Albert’s Palace, a 1,000-person banquet hall located within the Raritan Hotel, around 12:30 a.m.
A senior law enforcement official disclosed that the NYPD had flagged a vehicle connected to a homicide in East Harlem, leading to its detection by a license plate reader in New Jersey. Officers from multiple agencies, including the NYPD, New Jersey State Police, Woodbridge Township, and Edison, were dispatched to the scene.
The confrontation escalated when the suspect’s girlfriend confronted the officers and was subsequently arrested. The suspect then emerged from an elevator and opened fire, resulting in an exchange of gunfire. The suspect was shot and killed by the officers.
An NYPD officer sustained a gunshot wound to the foot, while a Woodbridge officer was hit below his service vest on the right side of his hip. The latter underwent surgery and is in critical but stable condition. Both officers are expected to recover.
The New Jersey State Attorney General’s office has taken over the investigation.
Attorney General Matthew Platkin issued a statement emphasizing the daily risks faced by law enforcement officers and vowed to thoroughly investigate the incident and work towards preventing future violence against officers.
“The resilience of our law enforcement officers deserves our unwavering support,” said Platkin. “This incident is a stark reminder of the dangers they face daily. We are committed to a comprehensive investigation and to preventing such violence in the future.”
The investigation remains ongoing, and further details about the suspect and the initial East Harlem homicide case have not been released. The road to the banquet hall was blocked off, and a white SUV, potentially linked to the case, was towed from the scene.
Both the NYPD and New Jersey police departments have been in communication regarding the incident. The Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) is leading the investigation into the shooting.