A recent domestic dispute in Jersey City ended in a fatal shooting by police as they confronted the suspect, who was armed. Jersey City police had responded to a 911 call from a woman who reported that a man with a gun was following her as she walked to a gas station. When police arrived on the scene, the man grabbed the woman, put her in a headlock, and pointed a gun at her head. At that point, a police officer shot the man, who was pronounced dead shortly thereafter.

The New Jersey State Attorney General's Office is investigating the incident, as is standard procedure in any police-involved shooting. The Attorney General has publicly released the 911 call audio recording, police officer body cam footage, and nearby surveillance footage. While initial reports indicated that the woman involved had been shot and was in critical condition, the recently released information gives no indication that the woman was shot.

The Importance of Following Procedure

This story demonstrates that in a tense situation like a domestic dispute, the most important thing that you can do is to remain as calm as possible and follow along with police procedures. While it's an emotional situation, reacting with anger can have serious – even deadly – consequences. Most of the parties involved in this incident followed procedure. The woman called the police when she felt like she was being threatened. The police responded and went to the scene to investigate. It could have ended with a simple investigation. In most domestic violence cases, police officers will separate the parties and interview them so that each person can give their side of the story. In this case, the man snapped, and police used deadly force to stop him.

What to Do if You Are Accused

If you are accused of domestic violence, the most important thing that you can do is to remain calm and not retaliate. You may feel that the accusations are unfair or untrue, but don't take matters into your own hands. It is perfectly natural to want to defend yourself and declare your innocence, but the best way to do that is to immediately retain an experienced domestic violence attorney to defend you. Keep your cool and allow the justice system to resolve the situation.

Seek Representation Right Away

As this case shows, it can take some time to fully investigate an incident and get the facts straight. If you're involved in a domestic dispute, try to remain calm. Remember that you have the right to an attorney. Don't make any statements to police without your attorney present; you have the right to remain silent. Seek justice through the proper procedures of the legal system.

Joseph Lento is an expert New Jersey criminal defense attorney, and he will help you protect your rights. Domestic violence charges are very serious, but attorney Joseph Lento has the experience and knowledge necessary to protect and defend you. Call 888-535-3686 or go online to schedule a consultation right away.