BLOOMINGDALE, N.J. – The Attorney General’s Shooting Response Task Force is conducting an investigation of a fatal officer-involved shooting that occurred this morning in Bloomingdale, N.J.

One male civilian sustained fatal injuries.  The decedent has been identified as Michael J. Rivera, 32, of Newark, N.J.

The shooting occurred at approximately 10:15 a.m. on Mathews Drive in Bloomingdale.  According to the preliminary investigation, a car that was being driven by Rivera was the subject of a law enforcement bulletin in connection with a theft investigation in Riverdale.  Immediately before the shooting, police vehicles from Bloomingdale and Riverdale were in pursuit of the car.  Rivera ultimately turned onto Mathews Drive, which is a dead end.  Rivera turned the car around and encountered a pursuing police vehicle. The police vehicle was stopped in front of Rivera’s car and the officer was attempting to exit the vehicle when Rivera drove the car forward, ramming the police vehicle and pinning the officer’s leg. During the encounter, the officer fired multiple rounds, fatally wounding Rivera.  Police administered first aid and CPR and transported Rivera to Chilton Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.  The officer suffered a leg injury.  He was transported to the hospital for treatment and later released.     

The investigation is ongoing and no further information is being released at this time.

This investigation is being conducted pursuant to a law enacted in January 2019, Senate Bill 1036, which requires that the Attorney General’s Office conduct investigations of a person’s 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.

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