> At a Glance
> – Police in Piscataway, NJ shot a machete-wielding man after Tasers failed
> – The suspect had killed his mother and grandparents inside the home
> – The Jan. 5 incident began with a 911 call at 5:30 p.m.
> – Why it matters: Authorities stress the slayings were isolated and the community faces no ongoing threat
A single 911 call led Piscataway officers to a River Road home where they discovered a triple homicide and shot the alleged killer, who was still armed with a machete.
The 911 Response
Officers arrived around 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 5 after a man reported someone with a knife. Outside the house they confronted the armed suspect and tried multiple Tasers before opening fire, according to the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office.
Once inside, police found three bodies; their cause of death has not been released.
Victims Identified
Piscataway Mayor Brian C. Wahler told reporters Tuesday that the dead were the gunman’s mother and grandparents.
> “You have to understand, there’s a husband who is about to bury a wife, parents, and a son,” Wahler said.
He added that the 911 caller was the husband of one victim.
Officer Actions Defended
Mayor Wahler praised the officers’ response:
> “Given the fact that the individual was carrying a machete and he’s already committed three murders inside, you know, you have to think about the officer’s health a little bit, too.”
He believes the preliminary review shows police “followed every guideline and gave every available opportunity to the perpetrator.”
Investigation Status
- The Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office is handling the triple homicide probe
- Authorities labeled the event “an isolated incident” with “no indication of an ongoing threat”
Key Takeaways
- A machete-wielding man killed three relatives before police intervention
- Officers tried non-lethal force before resorting to gunfire
- The victims were his mother and grandparents
- Officials say the community is not in danger
The shooting adds to the year’s early tally of deadly domestic violence incidents across New Jersey.
