CNBNews

TRENTON — The Attorney General’s Office of Public Integrity and Accountability today identified the decedent and the officer involved in a fatal shooting that occurred on November 3, 2024 in the Westmont section of Haddon Township, Camden County, New Jersey. The civilian who died during the encounter has been identified as Keith Edelin, 46, of Pennsauken, New Jersey.

According to the preliminary investigation, on November 3, at approximately 1:07 a.m., members of the Haddon Township Police Department responded to a 9-1-1 call regarding an attempted burglary in progress at an apartment complex on West Crystal Lake Avenue in Westmont.

Shortly after arrival, Haddon Township Police Officer Luke Falkenberg and his partner encountered a male, later identified as Mr. Edelin, in the stairwell armed with a knife.

During an interaction in the stairwell, Officer Falkenberg fired his service weapon, striking Mr. Edelin. Officers rendered medical aid until emergency medical personnel arrived and transported Mr. Edelin to Cooper University Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased approximately one hour later. A knife was recovered at the scene. The officers did not sustain any injuries during the encounter.

A 2019 law, N.J.S.A. 52:17B-107(a)(2), requires the Attorney General’s Office to conduct investigations of a person’s death that occurs during an encounter with a law enforcement officer acting in the officer’s official capacity or while the decedent is in custody. It requires that all such investigations be presented to a grand jury to determine if the evidence supports the return of an indictment against the officer or officers involved.

The investigation is ongoing and no further information is being released at this time.

he Attorney General’s Office is investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting that occurred on Sunday, November 3, 2024 in the Westmont section of Haddon Township, Camden County. One adult male civilian died. The identity of the decedent and the officer involved are not being released at this time.

According to the preliminary investigation, at approximately 1:07 a.m. on November 3,  members of the Haddon Township Police Department responded to a 9-1-1 call regarding an attempted burglary in progress at an apartment complex located on West Crystal Lake Avenue in Westmont. Shortly after arrival, officers encountered a male in the stairwell armed with a knife. During an interaction in the stairwell, an officer fired his service weapon, striking the male. Officers rendered medical aid until emergency medical personnel arrived and transported the male to Cooper University Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased approximately one hour later. A knife was recovered at the scene.

A 2019 law, N.J.S.A. 52:17B-107(a)(2), requires the Attorney General’s Office to conduct investigations of a person’s death that occurs during an encounter with a law enforcement officer acting in the officer’s official capacity or while the decedent is in custody. It requires that all such investigations be presented to a grand jury to determine if the evidence supports the return of an indictment against the officer or officers involved.

The investigation is ongoing, and no further information has been released at this time.