NJ Man Suffers Medical Episode During Arrest Before Death, Bodycam Video Shows

FRANKLIN, NJ — State investigators have released 911 audio, police radio transmissions and body-worn camera footage after a man died following a police encounter in Franklin Township in March. (See the video below)

Steven Fitzpatrick, 61, of Pittstown, was identified as the man who died during the March 10 encounter, according to the Attorney General’s Division of Criminal Justice.

The recordings were released on Friday and the police-involved encounter remains under investigation.

According to the 911 recording at 10:07 a.m. on March 10, the caller says Fitzpatrick had left a property on Locust Grove Road in Franklin Township after a dispute and had threatened to return with a gun and kill the caller.

"He wanted to fight me. Threatened to kill me. Said he is going home to get a gun to shoot me," according to the 911 call.

Officer Tyler Sutton of the Franklin Township Police was dispatched to the property.

After speaking with the 911 caller and another person at the scene, Sutton saw a vehicle enter the property, according to the preliminary investigation.

The vehicle was identified as belonging to Fitzpatrick.

Bodycam footage shows Sutton yelling at Fitzpatrick to stop his truck as he approaches.

After the vehicle stopped, Sutton drew his service weapon and repeatedly instructed Fitzpatrick to place his hands on the steering wheel, according to the release.

"Put your hands on the steering wheel!" Sutton yelled repeatedly.

"Pull the trigger!" Fitzpatrick yelled back repeatedly.

Sutton then directed Fitzpatrick to get out of the vehicle. After exiting, Fitzpatrick complied with instructions to lift his shirt and turn around so Sutton could check for weapons.

In the video, Fitzpatrick refused a command to walk toward Sutton and said he needed to remain near an oxygen tank inside the vehicle.

While using a cellphone, Fitzpatrick made a comment about hurting a person, according to the release.

Sutton then approached him, re-holstered his service weapon and tried to detain him.

"I need to sit down, I can't breathe. You're not handcuffing me," Fitzpatrick reportedly says in the video.

Franklin Township Police Officer Mitchell Molina and Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office Detective John Laurencelle arrived to help, and Fitzpatrick experienced a medical episode while the three officers were handcuffing him.

In the video, officers can be heard asking, "You awake, sir? Sir breathe."

Officers provided medical aid until emergency medical personnel arrived, and Fitzpatrick was taken to Hunterdon Medical Center for treatment, according to the release.

He was pronounced dead on March 15.

The Division of Criminal Justice said the circumstances of the encounter, along with the cause and manner of death, remain under investigation and no further information is being released at this time.

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