Man Used Heroin Before Cops Shot, Killed Him At N.J. Turnpike Rest Area

Details were revealed in a fatal N.J. Turnpike rest area shooting in which cops fatally shot a man Thursday who tried to kill a trooper, police said.

Christopher Angelo Pizzichetta, 46, of Lewes, Delaware, died in the shooting at the Molly Pitcher Service Area in Cranbury, according to the state Office of Attorney General.

The Attorney General’s Shooting Response Team is conducting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

Five members of the New Jersey State Police, in four unmarked police vehicles, were conducting undercover operations targeting narcotics at the Molly Pitcher Service Area when the shooting occurred shortly before 2:45 p.m. on Thursday, according to an OAG release.

Read more: N.J. Turnpike Fatal Shooting: Police Involved, Rest Area Closed

One of the troopers initially spotted Pizzichetta parked in his pickup truck at the north end of the parking area, away from other vehicles, “shooting up” heroin, according to the release.

As troopers moved their unmarked vehicles to park closer to Pizzichetta, he drove away and parked in a remote area at the south end of the parking area, according to the release.

The troopers then implemented a plan to approach Pizzichetta’s vehicle and prevent it from leaving the service area.

At least three state police vehicles, including a Chevy Silverado, moved in to block Pizzichetta’s pickup truck, but he attempted to flee. He backed up and struck one police vehicle, an SUV, and then drove forward and struck the Silverado, the release said.

The police vehicles, including the Silverado — which had its lights and siren activated — pursued Pizzichetta as he sped toward the exit road of the service area.

Rather than driving to the ramp leading to the exit road, Pizzichetta cut across a median where another trooper, who was on foot, was standing, the release said.

Civilian witnesses said that Pizzichetta sped directly at the trooper, who was wearing a holster and weapon and was clearly identifiable as a police officer. That trooper fired multiple rounds from his service handgun through Pizzichetta’s windshield, striking the upper part of his body, the release said.

Pizzichetta’s vehicle continued a short distance across the exit road at high speed and crashed into a concrete retaining wall along the far side of the road, according to the release. Pizzichetta was pronounced dead at the scene.

A syringe and empty glassine were found in Pizzichetta’s pickup truck, along with numerous other glassines containing suspected heroin.

None of the troopers were injured, but the trooper who fired was taken to the hospital for evaluation, pursuant to standard procedures.

No further details of the shooting are being released at this time due to the ongoing investigation.

We'll have more information as it comes in.

DOT photo of scene at Molly Pitcher Service Area