Paterson violence intervention activist killed in police taking pictures; AG investigating

PATERSON – Najee Seabrooks, a member of a Paterson violence intervention group, was fatally shot by a metropolis police officer on Friday afternoon after a five-hour standoff whereas he was barricaded inside his residence.

Social justice activists and legislation enforcement sources agree on these fundamental info. However they’re at odds over whether or not the taking pictures was justified.

Members of the Paterson Therapeutic Collective condemned the taking pictures, accusing metropolis police of stopping them from serving to their pal and colleague. They stated police mustn’t have allowed the state of affairs to escalate to the purpose the place lethal pressure was used.

Legislation enforcement officers stated they may not allow civilians to take part within the disaster negotiations with somebody in an emotionally disturbed mind-set. A Paterson police union chief stated the cops on the scene had no selection however to fireplace their weapons when Seabrooks brandished a knife and moved in direction of them.

The New Jersey Lawyer Normal’s Workplace introduced Friday night that it was investigating the incident. However the one particulars made public by state authorities had been the placement and time of the 12:30 p.m. taking pictures.

Simply 29 days previous to his dying, Seabrooks was amongst 21 survivors of Paterson’s avenue violence who participated in a Therapeutic Collective commencement ceremony for finishing a management coaching course.

“He was somebody who needed to convey peace to this metropolis,” stated Therapeutic Collective’s Liza Chowdhury. “He was an ideal mediator, and he did a lot to assist our youth.”

It was not clear what prompted Seabrooks to barricade himself inside his condominium constructing at 20 Mill Avenue. Police officers stated he was handled as an emotionally disturbed individual and that the division’s Emergency Response Staff was deployed to barter with him.

Chowdhury stated members of the Therapeutic Collective went to the scene to attempt to deescalate the state of affairs.

“We went there to assist him and they didn’t allow us to do it,” stated Chowdhury. “We begged them to allow us to speak to him. This was an injustice.”

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The president of Paterson Superior Officers police union, Mason Maher, stated the officers on the scene tried numerous “non-lethal methods” to get Seabrooks out of the barricaded basement condominium.

Maher stated Seabrooks finally let officers inside that he got here at them with at the very least one knife.

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“Sadly, he selected an choice that in the end led to this final result,” Maher stated. “The officers didn’t have a selection. Nobody is taking any pleasure in what occurred. The officers are going to be struggling too.”

Maher stated two officers fired their weapons. Authorities haven’t revealed what number of bullets struck Seabrooks.

Paterson police officers referred questions in regards to the incident to the AG’s Workplace. Patrick Caserta, a lawyer who represents Paterson cops in taking pictures incidents, declined to remark.

“That is being investigated by the Lawyer Normal’s Workplace,” was all Mayor Andre Sayegh needed to say when requested for his feedback in regards to the incident. Sayegh has come underneath criticism from group leaders for public statements he made about different police shootings within the metropolis.

Sayegh not too long ago stated that each one Paterson cops have gone by de-escalation coaching in the course of the previous 12 months. Sayegh in 2021 launched a de-escalation process pressure. However it took the mayor six months to nominate any members and the panel nonetheless hasn’t had any conferences greater than a 12 months after its formation.

The New Jersey Violence Intervention and Prevention Coalition issued a press release about Seabrooks’ dying, calling him “a beloved father, brother, and a useful member of our group.”

“It’s deeply distressing to listen to that, within the midst of a psychological well being disaster, Najee’s staff, his household, was not allowed to do the work they had been educated to do,” the coalition stated. “When he wanted his group probably the most, he was denied the assistance he required, and the police response failed him.”

Seabrooks grew to become concerned with the Therapeutic Collective – which is a part of the coalition – after he was the sufferer of a taking pictures.

“Najee’s dying is a tragic reminder that there’s nonetheless a lot work to be performed, and we should stay dedicated to our efforts,” the coalition stated. “We are going to honor his reminiscence by carrying on the mission he devoted his life to, and we is not going to relaxation till we’ve got created a safer and extra simply group for all.”

This text initially appeared on NorthJersey.com: Paterson NJ violence intervention activist killed in police shooting