EDISON, N.J. (1010 WINS) — An axe was discovered near a 49-year-old man who was fatally shot by two New Jersey police officers during a dispute last week in Edison, according to the state attorney general's office Wednesday.
According to the preliminary investigation, the shooting occurred on April 12 after 3:45 p.m. on Judson Street in Edison.
Officers from the Edison Police Department were dispatched to the parking lot, where they came across Merrill Rambarose, 49, of Edison.
During the confrontation, Officer Daniel Bradley and Officer Joseph Elqumos discharged their service weapons and fatally wounded Rambarose. A "short-handled axe" was recovered "near" Rambarose, officials said.
Officers and emergency medical personnel attempted to give first aid to Rambarose, who was pronounced dead on the scene at 4:41 p.m.
The office did not release details of what prompted the fatal shooting.
Neither officer had previously fired their weapon or used deadly force on duty, according to the Attorney General's use of force dashboard.
The Attorney General's Office said it investigates anytime a death occurs "during an encounter with a law enforcement officer acting in the officer's official capacity or while the decedent is in custody, and which establishes clear standards and procedures for conducting such investigations."
The investigation is ongoing and no further information is being released at this time, officials said.
