Authorities have released the identity of an armed man fatally shot by New Jersey police earlier this week during a domestic call at a Piscataway home, where three bodies were discovered.
The Attorney General’s Office on Wednesday identified the suspect as 29-year-old Piscataway resident Jordan Barnes, who police said was found wielding a knife during the Jan. 5 incident.
“While one officer attempted to speak with Mr. Barnes through the closed front door, Officer John Ward looked through the front door’s sidelight and observed two individuals lying unresponsive inside on the floor,” the statement reads.
Officers then opened the door and were confronted by Barnes, who was holding a kitchen knife. The suspect repeatedly refused to comply with orders to drop the knife and get on the ground, leading three officers to deploy their tasers, officials said.
“Mr. Barnes continued to walk toward the officers and Officer Ward fired his service weapon, striking Mr. Barnes,” the statement continues. “Officers provided immediate medical aid until emergency medical services arrived on scene.”
Two knives were found near Barnes, who was later pronounced dead.
Police also found three people dead inside the home with multiple suspected stab wounds: Jeanmarie Barnes, 60; Richard Barnes, 86; and Brenda Barnes, 84.
“You have to understand, there is a husband who’s about to bury a wife, parents, and a son,” the mayor said. “We just want to let the general public know this is not somebody coming in and knocking on a door; this is all folks that all knew each other and were related to each other.”
Wahler noted that there was no previous record of police being called to the residence for a domestic dispute.
Authorities said the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office is leading the ongoing investigation into the deaths of the three victims.
Following the officer-involved shooting, Piscataway Police Director of Public Safety Keith Stith took to social media on Thursday to express gratitude to the local community for their support.
“These gestures did not go unnoticed, and they meant a great deal to our officers and professional staff during a very difficult and emotional time. Thank you for standing with your police department.”
