Parami News reports that the case of a woman who was shot to death by police responding to a 911 call about her sister’s mental health crisis in Fort Lee last weekend is being investigated by the New Jersey attorney general’s office.
The report notes that this event occurred early Sunday morning. When an individual called 911 claiming his sister had gone into a mental breakdown and was holding a knife. In a statement, Matthew J. Platkin, Attorney General stated that officers from Fort Lee police department were dispatch to Pinnacle apartment complex at No.69 Main Street after 1:25 am.
When one of the cops arrived, he talked with the complainant in the corridor before coming into contact with two ladies there as soon as he opened the door to the room. Where she and other women were inside it. The women, whose names haven’t been disclose publicly, told him through the closed door not to get in but stay outside. So while waiting for other officers come over; he stood at that place knocking on it asking them to open it for him.
It happened quickly after they broke into the room. According to information given by authorities, another sister of the caller approached them nearby. Thereby making one officer fire on her once into her chest. Medical assistance was render immediately where she died upon arrival at Englewood Hospital.
Investigators found out there was a knife in that house. The events leading up to this fatal shooting have yet remained unclear.
Similarly, “there was an incident involving Sonya Massey. Which took place on July 6 in Illinois where she also died following a 911 call about mental health crisis.” The incidence has sparked widespread public outrage and protests.
At that time “Arrive Together” program of New Jersey connecting law enforcement professionals and emergency. Psychiatrists during distress calls did not operate within Fort Lee townships area. Since inception it operates across all counties (21) in New Jersey State having served over four thousand participants.
Paula Rogovin, 76, who is a co-founder of Teaneck Peace and Justice Vigil, raised her concern on the police. “It is just wrong,” she said. “It has to stop.” Rogovin insisted that the local training on what to do during mental health crisis was available and also called for an end to such incidents.
No further information concerning this investigation has bee shared with us by Attorney General’s office.
