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AG says police did not commit misconduct in man’s suicide death after 2-hour standoff

AG says police did not commit misconduct in man’s suicide death after 2-hour standoff

The attorney general’s office said police conduct did not contribute to the death of a man who took his own life after a two-hour standoff with police last month in Cumberland County.

The armed man, who has not been identified by authorities, barricaded himself in a residence on Italia Avenue in Vineland September 29.

“After reviewing investigative materials, including body-worn camera footage, OPIA has confirmed that the fatality in question was the direct result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound,” the Attorney General’s office said in a statement Wednesday.

“No law enforcement officer on the scene used force or otherwise contributed to the suicide. Accordingly, there is no police conduct that could be presented to a state jury for consideration under s Directive on an independent prosecutor” – said the statement.

According to a law enforcement source, police officers responded to the home around 7:45 p.m. and saw a man, who appeared to have a firearm, retreat into the home and barricade himself.

The source said that after about two hours of negotiations with the police, the man shot himself and later died.

Officers did not enter the home before the man fired, the official added. No one else was shot.

Office of the Attorney General investigates all statewide deaths involving law enforcement officers while performing their duties or while the person is under their care. The Office of the Attorney General announced earlier this month that the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability was reviewing the findings of a preliminary investigation into the incident by the Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office.

Editor’s note: NJ Advance Media typically limits reporting of suicides to those that occur in crowded public places, involving public figures or, in special circumstances, when they have a greater influence on public opinion. Suicidal thoughts and behaviors can be reduced with appropriate mental health support and treatment. If you are in a crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741.

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Matt Gray can be contacted at [email protected].