Hackensack police officers cleared in 2 fatal 2015 shootings

The police officers involved in two fatal police-involved shootings last year have been cleared of any wrongdoing. Elvin Diaz was shot and killed on May 21, 2015 when officers were responding to a

News 12 Staff

Aug 5, 2016, 6:49 AM

Updated 2,813 days ago

Share:

Hackensack police officers cleared in 2 fatal 2015 shootings
The police officers involved in two fatal police-involved shootings last year have been cleared of any wrongdoing.
Elvin Diaz was shot and killed on May 21, 2015 when officers were responding to a probationary welfare check. Raymond Peralta-Lantigua died a few weeks later on June 11, 2015, after police were called to a disturbance.
The Diaz case was presented before a Bergen County grand jury, which decided not to file charges against the two officers.
Hackensack police arrived at Diaz's home after he failed to get in touch with his probation officer. Police found Diaz inside his home, armed with a meat cleaver.
According to police, Diaz failed to drop the cleaver when he commanded to do so. He was shot nine times after he lunged at officers. He apparently told officers to shoot him before he killed them, according to a prosecutor's news release. Several witnesses backed up the police report.
The Peralta-Lantigua case did not go to the grand jury, because the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office determined the shooting was legally justified.
The investigation found that Hackensack police were called for reports of an "emotionally disturbed person with a knife." When officers arrived they found Peralta-Lantigua with a large knife outside the home, according to police.
The report found that the officer gave commands to Peralta-Lantigua, which he refused. He apparently shouted "The knife is me!" according to the release.
Police say that Peralta-Lantigua threatened the officer with the knife and refused to back down. He was shot twice.
The officers' account of what happened was also backed up by several civilian witnesses.


More from News 12
2:43
Rutgers police: Person charged for shooting people with Orbeez gun

Rutgers police: Person charged for shooting people with Orbeez gun

3:40
Police: Marlboro Township Public Schools, Trenton Board of Ed receive 'unfounded' bomb threats

Police: Marlboro Township Public Schools, Trenton Board of Ed receive 'unfounded' bomb threats

1:59
Dreary end to the week with some rain returning by Friday afternoon

Dreary end to the week with some rain returning by Friday afternoon

0:27
Police: Husband and wife stole jewelry from Bridgewater retirement facility

Police: Husband and wife stole jewelry from Bridgewater retirement facility

0:29
GoFundMe pages created for Paterson families displaced by house fires

GoFundMe pages created for Paterson families displaced by house fires

‘Now he literally has a part of me.’ Brother donates part of his liver to twin

‘Now he literally has a part of me.’ Brother donates part of his liver to twin

0:16
Police: Man tried to stab UPS driver who refused to give him a ride

Police: Man tried to stab UPS driver who refused to give him a ride

0:29
Police: North Carolina man killed in crash on Garden State Parkway in Irvington

Police: North Carolina man killed in crash on Garden State Parkway in Irvington

House of Independents announces initial summer lineup following temporary closure due to flooding damage

House of Independents announces initial summer lineup following temporary closure due to flooding damage

Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald says Travis Green is part of his search for a new coach

Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald says Travis Green is part of his search for a new coach

Atlantic City mayor: I'm committed to my family and city while dealing with daughter abuse charges

Atlantic City mayor: I'm committed to my family and city while dealing with daughter abuse charges

1:55
Bear-resistant trash cans being provided for 6 New Jersey towns

Bear-resistant trash cans being provided for 6 New Jersey towns

7-Eleven, Wawa or QuickCheck? New poll reveals New Jersey’s favorite convenience store

7-Eleven, Wawa or QuickCheck? New poll reveals New Jersey’s favorite convenience store

0:18
Dover police warn residents of men in face coverings knocking on doors

Dover police warn residents of men in face coverings knocking on doors

0:26
‘Stand Your Ground’ bill introduced in New Jersey

‘Stand Your Ground’ bill introduced in New Jersey

0:30
Stepson of former ‘Real Housewives’ star Siggy Flicker arrested in connection on Jan. 6 charges

Stepson of former ‘Real Housewives’ star Siggy Flicker arrested in connection on Jan. 6 charges

0:23
Ford recalls over 456,000 Bronco Sport and Maverick cars due to loss of drive power risk

Ford recalls over 456,000 Bronco Sport and Maverick cars due to loss of drive power risk

2:47
Capturing the moment at Zimmerli Museum in New Brunswick

Capturing the moment at Zimmerli Museum in New Brunswick

0:51
Save money while helping the planet with these 12 energy-efficient tips

Save money while helping the planet with these 12 energy-efficient tips

2:31
MTA CEO says New Jersey will get cut of congestion pricing money; Gottheimer continues vow to stop congestion pricing

MTA CEO says New Jersey will get cut of congestion pricing money; Gottheimer continues vow to stop congestion pricing