***UPDATED INFORMATION INCLUDING IDENTITY OF DECEDENT***
For Immediate Release: September 22, 2021
Office of The Attorney General
– Andrew J. Bruck, Acting Attorney General
Office of Public Integrity and Accountability
– Thomas J. Eicher, Executive Director
For Further Information:
Media Inquiries-
Peter Aseltine
609-292-4791
Citizen Inquiries-
609-984-5828
MANTUA – The Attorney General’s Office is conducting an investigation of a fatal police-involved shooting that occurred early on the morning of Sept. 14 in Mantua Township, N.J. One male civilian sustained fatal injuries. No other injuries were reported.
The decedent has been identified as Charles Sharp III, 49, who lived at the address where the shooting occurred.
According to the preliminary investigation, two uniformed officers of the Mantua Township Police Department arrived at a house on Elm Avenue in Mantua Township at approximately 1:35 a.m. on Sept. 14 in response to a 911 call. During an encounter outside the house, one police officer fired his service weapon, fatally wounding Mr. Sharp. A detailed replica of a .45-caliber semi-automatic handgun was found near Mr. Sharp.
Officers rendered first aid to Mr. Sharp. He was transported to Jefferson Washington Township Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased at 2:49 a.m.
This investigation is being conducted pursuant to Attorney General Directive 2019-4, which implements the statutory requirement that the Attorney General’s Office conduct the investigation of any death that occurs during an encounter with a law enforcement officer acting in the officer’s official capacity or while the decedent is in custody, and which establishes clear standards and procedures for conducting such investigations.
The investigation is ongoing and no further information is being released at this time.
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