Woodbridge, NJ – Two police officers, one from the NYPD and one from Woodbridge, were shot in a chaotic overnight incident at a popular banquet hall in Woodbridge Township. The officers returned fire, killing the suspect involved in the shooting.
The incident unfolded at Royal Albert’s Palace, a large banquet hall located at the Raritan Hotel, around 12:30 a.m. The New Jersey State Attorney General’s office is investigating the shooting but initial reports indicate the officer’s were shot first and were justified in returning fire.
According to a senior law enforcement official, the NYPD had placed a license plate alarm on a vehicle connected to a homicide investigation in East Harlem. New Jersey police, using a license plate reader, identified the vehicle in their jurisdiction.
NYPD officers, along with New Jersey State Troopers and local police, responded to the scene. The suspect’s girlfriend reportedly confronted the officers and was subsequently arrested. The suspect, alerted to the commotion, allegedly exited the building and opened fire.
In the ensuing exchange of gunfire, the suspect was killed. An NYPD officer was shot in the foot, and a Woodbridge Officer was shot in his bullet proof vest. Both officers are expected to recover from their injuries.
The area surrounding the banquet hall remained blocked off as authorities investigated the scene. A white SUV was towed from the parking lot, but it is unclear whether it was the vehicle tagged by the NYPD.
The swift actions of the wounded officers, returning fire under extreme pressure, prevented further harm to civilians and fellow officers. Their bravery and dedication to duty are a testament to the risks law enforcement face daily to protect their communities.
The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and further details about the East Harlem homicide that triggered the events are yet to be released.
