NJ Man Killed In Police-Involved Shooting Identified

VINELAND, NJ — The man who was killed in a police-involved shooting in South Jersey over the weekend has been identified as 20-year-old Joshua Gonzalez, of Millville, the Attorney General’s Office announced Wednesday night.

Gonzalez was shot after Vineland police responded to the Penn Lincoln Mobile Home Park at about 5 a.m. Saturday morning for reports of someone operating a backhoe erratically, according to authorities.

For half an hour, police tried to stop him, according to authorities. During that time, Gonzalez damaged several homes and vehicles, including two police cars, an ambulance, and an occupied civilian vehicle, authorities said.

While they were trying to stop Gonzalez, Vineland Police Sgt. Louis Platania fatally shot Gonzalez, according to authorities. Officers and emergency medical personnel gave Gonzalez medical aid, according to authorities. He was pronounced dead at 5:48 a.m.

Three Vineland police officers sustained minor injuries during the incident, authorities said. The officers were treated and released. See related: Man Killed In NJ Police-Involved Shooting: Authorities

This investigation is being conducted pursuant to Attorney General Directive 2019-4, which implements the statutory requirement that the Attorney General's Office conduct the investigation of any 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, and which establishes clear standards and procedures for conducting such investigations.