Michael Sean Carmody Dies After Being Removed from Life Support

Michael Sean Carmody, who in a matter of moments Sunday night went from a troubled young man to perhaps the most reviled person in Bergen County, died Wednesday afternoon, about 15 minutes after he was removed from life support at St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center in Paterson.

Carmody was taken off life support at 2:48 p.m., Bergen County Prosecutor John Molinelli said, and died at 3:02 p.m.

His death means the most burning question about the shooting of Rachel Morgan likely dies with him.

"Why?"

Why did a young man who was reportedly trying to turn his life around after scrapes with the criminal justice system open fire on a police officer?

Why did Carmody have a gun with him in the first place? He had arrests for marijuana and burglary, but nothing in his history suggested he was capable of that level of violence.

Morgan, 31, was on patrol on Route 17 on Super Bowl Sunday when she attempted to stop Carmody for speeding and driving with fake license plates. He fled, perhaps knowing that a search of the car would have revealed the weapon, and brought mandatory prison time.

His girlfiend, Melonie Hernandez, told My9 News on Tuesday that she thought he was scared of going to jail.

Carmody became stuck in the packed snow and ice when his small silver coupe spun out as he tried to speed up the ramp to the Garden State Parkway.

The details of what happened next have not been released. What we do know is that Carmody fired at Morgan as she approached his car. Another officer, Ryan Hayo, arrived at the scene and also exchanged gunfire with Carmody, authorities have said.

It's still not clear which officer struck Carmody, but at some point he apparently turned the 9mm on himself, freeing Hayo to tend to his fallen friend.

Morgan has since undergone three surgeries for bullet wounds to her abdominal area. Her bullet-proof vest may have saved her life.

Carmody's death caps a short and troubled life. He grew up in Jersey City, and it's still the place that most people who know him refer to his his home.

He was arrested three times. He almost died in the car crash that killed his best friend. He lost his mother when he was in his teens.

Carmody worked dead-end jobs and bore the scars from the crash on his face.

But we'll likely never know why he shot Rachel Morgan.