Victim Had Scissors In Asbury Police-Involved Fatal Shooting: OAG

The victim in a police-involved fatal shooting was armed with a pair of scissors when he was fatally wounded, according to the Office of Attorney General.

The revelation comes as the Attorney General’s Shooting Response Task Force is conducting an investigation of an officer-involved fatal shooting that occurred on Tuesday in Asbury Park.

The victim has been identified as James Manzo, 27, of 305 7th Avenue in Asbury Park.

According to the preliminary investigation, the shooting occurred at approximately 10:19 p.m. at the boarding house where Manzo lived at 305 7th Avenue, according to a release from the Office of Attorney General.

Members of the Asbury Park Police Department responded to the location on a report that Manzo was behaving erratically. Upon arrival, Asbury Park officers entered the building and attempted to talk to Manzo at his doorway, according to the release.

After a time, Manzo attempted to shut his door on the officers, but he then emerged armed with a pair of scissors. During the encounter, one officer fired at Manzo, fatally wounding him, the release said.

Manzo was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 10:52 p.m., the release said.

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.