Woman In 'Crisis' Who Was Fatally Shot By Police In Bergen County Is Identified

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office on Monday identified the victim and police officer involved in a fatal officer-involved shooting in Fort Lee on Sunday, July 28.

The woman who died during the encounter at the Pinnacle apartment complex has been identified as Victoria G. Lee, 26, of Fort Lee.

At approximately 1:25 a.m., said the state Attorney General's Office, officers from the Fort Lee Police Department responded to a home in the complex on Main Street, "after a man called 911 reporting that his sister was having a mental health crisis and needed to go to the hospital," officials said.

The caller stated that his sister was holding a knife, officials said.

The Attorney General's Office said:

"Upon arrival, an officer spoke to the caller outside of the apartment unit in the building’s hallway. The officer then opened the apartment door and observed two females: the sister, identified as Ms. Lee, and another female. They told the officer not to come in and shut the door. The officer stood outside knocking on the door, asking the females to open the door as additional officers arrived. After the occupants did not comply, officers breached the door. As Ms. Lee approached the officers in the hallway, Police Officer Tony Pickens, Jr. fired a single shot, striking Ms. Lee in the chest. Officers provided immediate medical aid. Ms. Lee was transported to Englewood Hospital, where she was pronounced deceased at approximately 1:58 a.m. A knife was recovered at the scene."

A 2019 New Jersey law requires the Attorney General’s Office to conduct investigations of a person’s death that occurs during an encounter with a law enforcement officer. The investigation will be presented to a grand jury to determine if the evidence supports an indictment of the officer.

Approximately a year ago, police in Jersey City were criticized when they fatally shot a man with a knife in that city, after his family called because he was having a mental health crisis. He had been released from a health care facility a week earlier, family said.

Activists have stressed the need for better protocols when police respond to someone in crisis who needs help. READ MORE: Footage Released In Controversial Jersey City Police Shooting Of Andrew Washington

The investigation is ongoing and no further information is being released at this time, the state said.

PAST COVERAGE: Police Fatally Shoot Woman In Fort Lee After Call Of 'Mental Health Crisis': NJ Officials