Identification Made for Person Killed in Police-Involved Shooting at South Brunswick Motel

February 2, 2024

TRENTON — The decedent in a fatal officer-involved shooting at a motel in South Brunswick, New Jersey, on January 24, 2024, has been identified by the Attorney General’s Office today. The man killed during the encounter has been identified as Shamar Leggette, a 41-year-old resident of Brooklyn, New York.

Based on the preliminary investigation, it was determined that on January 24, 2024, at approximately 2:05 p.m., members of the U.S. Marshals Service New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force, who were assisting the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives office in New York, arrived at the motel located on Route 1 South in the Monmouth Junction section of the township. Their objective was to execute an arrest warrant for a suspect wanted in connection with multiple felonies.

At around 2:47 p.m., gunfire was exchanged between the officers and the individual to be arrested, identified as Mr. Leggette. Tragically, Mr. Leggette was pronounced deceased at approximately 4:29 p.m. During the investigation, authorities recovered two firearms near the decedent. Fortunately, no officers were harmed during the shooting incident.

This ongoing investigation is being conducted in accordance with Attorney General Directive 2019-4, which mandates that the Attorney General’s Office handles the investigation of any death occurring during an encounter with a law enforcement officer acting in their official capacity or while the decedent is in custody. This directive establishes clear standards and procedures to ensure a thorough and impartial investigation.

At this time, further information pertaining to the investigation is not being released. The authorities are diligently working to gather all the necessary facts and evidence to shed light on the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident.

In a related development, a photograph of the scene has been released, depicting law enforcement personnel at the motel where the fatal shooting took place. The image captures the gravity of the situation and serves as a reminder of the risks faced by law enforcement officers in the line of duty.

As the investigation progresses, the Attorney General’s Office and law enforcement agencies involved will continue their efforts to provide a comprehensive and transparent account of the events leading up to the fatal officer-involved shooting.