Names Released Of 2 Police Officers Shot In Woodbridge, Plus Shooter

WOODBRIDGE, NJ — New Jersey Attorney General Matt Plakin released the names of the two police officers, a Woodbridge Police patrolman and an NYPD detective, who he says were shot in a shoot-out with an attempted murder suspect in Woodbridge Thursday.

The officers are Justin Nerney of the Woodbridge Police and NYPD Detective Matthew Mauro. Both have since been released from the hospital and are recovering at home.

The civilian who died during the encounter has been identified as Karl Gregory, 46, of New York, New York. He was being sought by New York City Police for an attempted homicide in their jurisdiction (East Harlem).

According to the preliminary investigation, on Wednesday, June 12, officers from the Edison Police Department received information from an Automated License Plate Reader that a vehicle sought in connection with a shooting that occurred in New York City, which left the victim with life-threatening injuries, was in their area.

Officers from the Edison and Woodbridge police departments responded to the Royal Albert’s Palace hotel on King Georges Post Road in Woodbridge, where they located the unoccupied vehicle parked in the lot. Authorities notified the New York City Police Department (NYPD).

Detectives with the NYPD responded and briefed Woodbridge police personnel on the New York criminal investigation.

After midnight, now Thursday, law enforcement at the hotel were conducting a civilian interview when, at approximately 12:21 a.m., the hotel’s elevator doors opened, and Gregory exited toward the lobby holding multiple bags. Upon seeing officers in the lobby, Gregory dropped his bags and reached into a black backpack.

Gunfire was then exchanged between Gregory and Woodbridge Officers Drew Krupinski and Justin Nerney and NYPD Detective Matthew Mauro.

Gregory, as well as Woodbridge Officer Nerney and NYPD Detective Mauro, were struck during the exchange. Woodbridge PD officers immediately began rendering medical aid to Gregory until the arrival of EMS personnel.

Gregory was later pronounced deceased at the scene. A handgun located near him was recovered and preserved. Multiple shell casings, fired from different weapons, were also recovered and will be compared with the firearms that were discharged during the incident.

Officer Nerney and Detective Mauro each sustained a gunshot wound. Both were transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick for treatment. Detective Mauro was released Thursday, and Officer Nerney was released Friday.

NJ state law requires the Attorney General’s Office to conduct investigations of a person’s death that occurs during an encounter with law enforcement.

2 Police Officers Shot In NJ Out Of Hospital; Timeline Of Shooting

First report: Suspect Shoots Woodbridge Police And NYPD Officer At Raritan Hotel