New Jersey cops shoot knife-wielding naked man after he destroyed relative’s home and trapped family members on upper floors
Harrowing bodycam footage shows a crazed man swinging a knife at New Jersey police officers moments before he was shot.
Mohamed Bounaouar, 42, of Las Vegas was visiting relatives on February 4 when one of them called Fort Lee police.
“I have a situation,” the man told the dispatcher. He said he called from his car in the garage because one of his family members – said to have a “mental illness” – was behaving erratically.
“Right now he has a knife and he’s trying to cut off everything he has,” the man said, adding that Bouanoaur was acting “weird” and “scary.”
The 42-year-old was in the townhouse with four other people, the family member explained.
Mohamed Bounaouar, 42, was fatally shot by New Jersey police after attacking them with a knife
On February 4, a family member called 911 to report that Bounaouar was behaving erratically and cutting up his belongings. The 42-year-old threw objects down the stairs at police after they arrived
One officer deployed his Taser, but Bounaouar attacked police with a knife and was shot dead
Officers spoke to the people in the house and asked them to isolate in a room away from Bounaouar.
Upon arriving at the John Street apartment, officers shouted at the bottom of the stairs.
They tried to negotiate with the 42-year-old as he smashed objects on the second floor and threw items down the stairs.
All family members managed to escape, except one who was trapped on the third floor.
Bodycam footage shows a group of officers entering the mansion and immediately finding it in disarray.
There is a frying pan on the carpeted stairs and it looks like a hole has been punched in the wall.
As they assess the situation, four gunshots ring out from above. “Oh s***, shots were fired,” an officer says.
According to the relative, four other people were trapped in the house with Bounaouar. Officers managed to free three of them
Bodycam footage shows the house in a state of disarray, with broken glass and plastic on the floor
The officers walk up the stairs and aim their guns. There are shards of glass and plastic on the floor.
They pass a broken window and go onto the balcony to find Bounaouar completely naked on his back. In his right hand he holds a large knife, which appears to be soaked in blood.
One officer shouts at Bounaouar to drop the gun, but he stumbles to his feet and waves wildly.
Officers open fire and the man falls to the ground.
Moments earlier, the 42-year-old had been tasered by another officer from a neighboring balcony.
According to the New Jersey Attorney General’s office, Officer Emmanuel Espinal deployed a Taser while Detectives John Gallo and Stephen Domenick fired their firearms, hitting Bounaouar.
Officer Espinal then deployed his taser a second time.
After hearing the shots, the officers climbed the stairs to the second floor and found Bounaouar on the balcony.
After the man attacked them, officers Matthew Lyle and Gabriel Avella opened fire.
The officers confront Bounaouar, who is completely naked, on a second-floor balcony
According to the New Jersey attorney general’s office, two officers opened fire, fatally striking the man. The shooting is being investigated as per policy
Emergency care was provided but the 42-year-old was pronounced dead at around 10.39am. Authorities found a knife near his body.
None of his family members were injured, although one officer suffered a hand injury.
The Public Prosecution Service announced that they are investigating the shooting, in accordance with policy.
Attorney General Directive 2019-4 requires the office to investigate any death that occurs during an encounter with a law enforcement officer.
A spokesperson for the Public Prosecution Service declined to provide further information about the investigation.