> At a Glance
> – Police shot and killed a machete-wielding man in Piscataway, N.J. on Jan. 5, 2026
> – Officers then discovered three dead bodies inside the River Road house
> – Victims include two grandparents; identities withheld
> – Why it matters: Investigators say the public faces no ongoing danger, but the motive remains unknown
A routine 5:30 p.m. call about a person with a knife escalated into a deadly confrontation that left four people dead in Piscataway Monday evening.
The Confrontation
When officers arrived at the River Road residence, the armed man charged at them, according to WABC. Taser attempts failed, prompting police to open fire.
The weapon was later identified as a machete, Fox 5 reports.
Discovery Inside
After the shooting, officers searched the home and found:
- Three deceased individuals
- Two victims described as grandparents
- One victim whose relationship to the others is unclear
Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office and the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office have taken over the homicide investigation.
Community Reaction
Neighbors told WABC the street is normally quiet.
Jessica Conroy recalled:
> “I was pretty much about to start making dinner, and then I just heard the cops come next door. I looked outside the window and they had their weapons drawn, and then we heard the shots go off.”
Keith Heron added:
> “Very nice lady. Very nice, quiet neighborhood. It’s so tragic that something like this happens.”
Peter Andreyev, president of the New Jersey State Policemen’s Benevolent Association, posted on X:
> “We are aware of the horrific crime in Middlesex County tonight. All our members that were involved are being evaluated.”
Key Takeaways
- Suspect and all three victims remain unidentified
- Cause of death for the three victims has not been released
- Police stress this was an isolated incident with no ongoing threat
- Relationship between suspect and victims is still under investigation
The investigation continues as authorities work to piece together what sparked the violence.
