Old Bridge Township, New Jersey — On April 24, 2023, Old Bridge Police responded to a 911 call regarding a dispute at approximately 3:09 p.m. at a residence on Woodland Avenue in Laurence Harbor. Officer Christopher Hammel was met at the door by an unidentified woman, who told them 26-year-old Luke Mendez was upstairs. The footage reveals at least two other individuals inside the house, and they begin debating whether the woman was justified in placing cameras inside the property. According to one of the other residents, the woman was “threatening Mendez with the cops.” During the 911 call, The woman can be heard telling officers that she wants him out of the house.
The officer approaches the steps and shouts out for Mendez, who appears at the top of the stairway wielding a large knife. When officer Hammel instructs him to put it down and when he does not, the officer pulls out his gun and tells him to “relax.” Officer Hammel asks Mendez why he is upset, but he does not respond. The officer continues to try to persuade Mendez to drop the knife for nearly two minutes before Mendez runs down the stairs with the knife. As Mendez descended a staircase while holding the knife, Officer Hammel fires his service weapon three times, striking Mendez. Officer Hammel removes the knife from Mendez, calls backup and medics, and is seen placing his hands on the gunshot wounds. Mendez was transported to Old Bridge Medical Center and was pronounced deceased at 4:47 p.m.
h/t/: @shanermurph / Twitter
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