AG’s Office Provides Update on Investigation of Fatal Police-Involved Shooting in Moonachie, N.J.

TRENTON — The Attorney General’s Office provided additional details today concerning the circumstances of an encounter with law enforcement officers that occurred Wednesday, October 28, 2026, in Moonachie, Bergen County, New Jersey. During the encounter, an adult male civilian was fatally wounded. The civilian who died during the encounter has been identified as Roberto Castro-Quinonez, 30, of Bakersfield, California. The identity of the involved officer is not being released at this time.

According to preliminary information, at approximately 5:15 p.m., New Jersey State Police detectives were conducting an investigation in the area of Gotham Parkway, near the intersection with West Commercial Avenue, in Moonachie. The detectives, operating in a plain-clothes capacity, were in the area as part of a criminal investigation.

While in that area, one of the detectives was approached by a male civilian, later identified as Roberto Castro-Quinonez. An interaction between the detective and Castro-Quinonez ensued, and a second detective arrived at the scene to assist. Shortly thereafter, one New Jersey State Police detective discharged his duty issued weapon two times, striking Castro-Quinonez. Officers attempted to perform medical aid; however, Castro-Quinonez was pronounced deceased at 5:44 p.m.

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.

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