Police Shot, Killed NJ Man With Airsoft Gun: Attorney General

MORRIS TOWNSHIP – A confrontation with police lead to the shooting death of a 24-year-old Morris Township man armed with an Airsoft gun Tuesday, according to the Office of the Attorney General.

Timothy O'Shea was holding an Airsoft pistol when he was confronted by police officers at a Fairchild Avenue home shortly after 4 p.m., authorities said.

O'Shea was the son of retired Morris Township Police Lieutenant Kevin O'Shea who currently serves the department as an executive administrative assistant

According to officials, a 911 caller reported that a person at the residence had cut himself and had a gun and when uniformed officers of three police departments responded. They soon encountered the 911 caller and took that person to safety.

Shortly after, at approximately 4:19 p.m., officers encountered O’Shea, who was holding a pistol and bleeding, authorities said. During the encounter, one officer fired his weapon, striking O’Shea, authorities said.

Officers rendered medical aid until EMS arrived and transported O’Shea to Morristown Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 5:41 p.m., authorities said.

The pistol that was in his hand was recovered at the scene and determined to be a replica Beretta 9mm Airsoft pistol.

The investigation is being conducted by the Integrity Bureau within the Attorney General's Office of Public Integrity and Accountability and no further details are being released.

In January 2019, a new law required 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, authorities noted.

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