Man Shot By Police After Mother, Grandparents Found Dead In Piscataway

PISCATAWAY, NJ — Four people in the same family are dead following a horrific scene that unfolded Monday evening.

Jordan Barnes, 29, of Piscataway, was killed by police after his mother and grandparents were found stabbed to death in their home. The man charged at responding police officers with a knife when they responded to the scene, according to a new update in the case released Tuesday night by New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin.

According to the preliminary investigation, at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Piscataway Police responded to a home on River Road after receiving a 911 call from Barnes’ relative. The caller said Barnes was threatening to harm family members inside the home.

Piscataway Police responded. While one officer attempted to speak with Barnes through the closed front door, Officer John Ward looked through the front door’s sidelight and observed two people lying unresponsive inside on the floor.

Officers then opened the front door and encountered Barnes holding a kitchen knife. Officers commanded Barnes to put the knife down and get on the ground. Barnes did not drop the knife or get on the ground, said the Attorney General. Three officers deployed their tasers.

Despite the tasers being deployed, Barnes continued to walk toward the officers. Ward fired his service weapon, striking Barnes. Officers provided immediate medical aid until EMTs arrived on scene. Authorities recovered two knives near Barnes, who was pronounced deceased.

Inside the home, police found Barnes' mother, Jeanmarie Barnes, 60, and his grandparents, Richard Barnes, 86, and Brenda Barnes, 84. They all had multiple stab wounds.

New Jersey State PBA President Peter Andreyev described the crime scene as "horrific," and said all police officers who responded Monday night had to be evaluated by mental health professionals.

First report, from Monday night: Cops Shoot Knife-Wielding Man Dead, Find 3 Bodies In Home, Reports Say