The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office released police body camera and surveillance recordings connected to a fatal law-enforcement encounter that occurred in Jersey City on September 5.
The recordings show events that led to the death of Steven B. Sanchez, 26, of Jersey City. Authorities previously identified Jersey City Police Sgt. Ricardo Reyes as the officer who fired the fatal shot.
Investigators said Sanchez possessed an air pistol, which officers later recovered at the location. Authorities also located multiple projectiles believed to have been discharged from that weapon.
Officials stated that the recordings contain violent imagery and explicit language.
- The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office published body camera and surveillance recordings from a Sept. 5 police encounter in Jersey City involving Steven B. Sanchez, 26.
- Investigators said Sanchez used a compressed air pistol to fire projectiles toward police vehicles and aimed the weapon at officers before police gunfire struck him.
- Sanchez later struggled with officers after the shooting, was handcuffed, transported to Jersey City Medical Center, and pronounced dead at about 8:45 p.m.
Investigation Traces Events To Reports Of Gunfire Toward Police Vehicles
According to the Attorney General’s Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA), the sequence of events began at approximately 1:22 p.m. on September 5.
At that time, two Jersey City police officers were traveling south on John F. Kennedy Boulevard (JFK Boulevard) inside a police cruiser.
Sgt. Ricardo Reyes was traveling northbound in another police vehicle on the same roadway.
In a later statement to investigators, Reyes said he conducted a U-turn to check whether someone had fired at his vehicle.
A civilian witness also spoke with law enforcement and indicated that a person walking south on the boulevard had fired at his vehicle. Investigators later identified that person as Steven Sanchez.
The two officers traveling south also turned their patrol vehicle around after suspecting that their cruiser may have been targeted.
Officers Approach Suspect Near JFK Boulevard And Clinton Avenue
The encounter developed about a minute later.
At roughly 1:23 p.m., the two officers left their police vehicle along JFK Boulevard near Clinton Avenue.
They observed Sanchez carrying what appeared to be a handgun and began instructing him to drop it.
The recordings show several Jersey City police officers positioned near parked vehicles with their firearms raised while confronting Sanchez. Sanchez remained on the sidewalk holding the weapon and directing it toward officers.
A person walking along the sidewalk quickly moved away after officers warned him about the armed individual.
Investigators said officers instructed Sanchez to put down the weapon more than five times.
Gunfire Begins After Weapon Is Directed Toward Officers
Video recordings show Sanchez continuing to aim the weapon toward officers.
Sgt. Reyes stepped out of his police vehicle and fired his weapon during the confrontation.
Surveillance footage indicates that one officer appeared to have been struck by a projectile discharged from the air pistol before gunfire from police struck Sanchez.
Reyes was fired, and Sanchez sustained gunshot wounds.
Physical Confrontation Occurs After Shooting
After the gunfire, Sanchez discharged the air pistol toward officers and moved toward Sgt. Reyes.
Recordings show him running toward one of the officers, leading to a physical confrontation.
Three officers became involved in the struggle as they attempted to restrain him.
Investigators reported that Sanchez resisted handcuffing and apprehension and screamed during the struggle.
Officers eventually subdued him and secured him in handcuffs.
Medical Treatment Provided And Death Reported Later That Evening
Officers provided medical assistance until emergency responders arrived.
Sanchez was transported to RWJBarnabas Health Jersey City Medical Center.
Medical personnel later pronounced him dead at approximately 8:45 p.m.
Authorities reported that Sgt. Reyes sustained a non-life-threatening injury during the encounter. No other officers or civilians were injured.
State Law Requires Independent Review Of Police-Related Deaths
New Jersey law requires the Attorney General’s Office to examine any death that takes place during an interaction with a law enforcement officer acting in an official capacity or when a person is in police custody.
After the investigation concludes, the evidence must be submitted to a grand jury, which decides whether the evidence supports returning an indictment against any officer involved.
Officials reported that the investigation remains active and that no additional information is being released at this time.
The recordings released can be viewed here.
