NJ Officials Investigate Fatal Police-Involved Shooting In New Brunswick
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- A New Jersey father is dead after a shoot-out with police early Saturday morning.
Family and friends of 27-year-old Diahlo Grant are now demanding answers into why this happened, CBS2's Ali Bauman reported.
Grant, of Somerset, was pursued by two Franklin Township police officers after an encounter on Somerset and Home Streets, officials said. The officers followed Grant across the town border into New Brunswick where an exchange of gunfire occurred shortly after 1:30 a.m., according to police.
Grant was wounded in the exchange and one of the police officers involved provided cardio-pulmonary resuscitation while waiting for emergency medial personnel to arrive at the scene.
Grant was transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital and was pronounced dead at around 3:17 a.m., according to officials. Grant's gun was recovered at the scene.
Friends of Grant gathered Saturday, saying they're sad and angry and just can't believe the young father is gone.
Candles and prayers are what remain on the corner of Somset and Home streets.
"I was inside with my cousins. We heard five gunshots. We came to look around and by that time it was surrounded by cops, they closed off roads," a resident named Cruz told CBS2.
Grant leaves behind six children and another on the way.
"He was a good dad. I seen him all the time, always took his son. That's all I know of him," Shon Callahan, a friend of the victim, said.
The Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office told CBS2 they are conducting the investigation in accordance with the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General's use of force guidelines. They have not said what prompted police to shoot.
Friends said they are shocked. They said Grant wasn't a violent man, but someone who was always smiling.
"I'm just gonna remember that smile. That smile is definitely gonna be remembered," friend Parisha Matchet said.
Mourners are now taking their message to the streets in hopes of getting justice.
According to Middlesex County officials, Grant had outstanding warrants for non-payment of child support and violation of probation on a drug charge.
