Woman Shot, Killed By Police In Lacey Identified

LACEY, NJ — Both the woman who was killed and the police officer who shot her have been identified by the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General.

Susanne Clarke, 55, reported a medical emergency shortly after 2 a.m., the Attorney General’s Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) said. Police responded to Hemlock Drive in Lanoka Harbor for the 911 call.

During an encounter with Clarke outside the home at approximately 2:44 a.m., Lacey Township Police Officer Dallas Gant fired his service weapon, striking Clark, authorities said. She was pronounced dead at the scene at 3:24 a.m. Law enforcement recovered a knife at the scene outside the home.

One Lacey police officer was hospitalized for a non-life-threatening injury, Police Chief Paul Sullivan Jr. said. Several additional officers at the scene were not injured.

"As the safety and well-being of our community remains our top priority, I can assure you that there is no active or ongoing threat to the public," Sullivan said.

The incident is being investigated by the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General.

No further information will be released at this time, according to the OPIA.