Grand jury to review 2 police-involved shootings in Bergen County

The Bergen County Prosecutor's Office will present two recent police-involved shootings to a grand jury, the office announced Tuesday. The fatal shootings occurred in May in Hackensack and Lyndhurst.

News 12 Staff

Aug 12, 2015, 6:51 AM

Updated 3,178 days ago

Share:

Grand jury to review 2 police-involved shootings in Bergen County
The Bergen County Prosecutor's Office will present two recent police-involved shootings to a grand jury, the office announced Tuesday.
The fatal shootings occurred in May in Hackensack and Lyndhurst.
Authorities say Elvin Diaz was shot and killed on May 21 when two Hackensack police officers drew and fired their weapons. The officers were responding to reports that Diaz had not checked in with his parole officer. He allegedly threatened police with a meat cleaver before he was shot.
Diaz's mother was relieved by news of the case going to a grand jury. Cecilia Diaz alleges officers just barged into the home.
"It's so crazy how people come in here and kill my son," she says. "That's so crazy."
Cecilia Diaz says she would like to speak face to face with the officers who fired at her son.
The second shooting going to the grand jury occurred on May 29 in Lyndhurst. Kevin Allen was shot and killed by two Lyndhurst officers in the Lyndhurst Public Library. 
Allen was wanted for contempt of court and failing to show up for a work-release program. During a confrontation at the library, Allen was shot and killed. Police say he had a knife at the time.
Allen's shooting prompted a series of protests within the community. Allen's family members participated as well.
"We want to thank the prosecutor's office," says Robert Walker, Allen's cousin. "They made a concerted effort to do their due diligence."
"We appreciate our police, we appreciate law enforcement. They are very much needed," says another cousin, Jackie Handsford. "But we also want things done in a decent and respectful manner."
The prosecutor's office says it is still investigating a third police-involved shooting that occurred on June 11. In that shooting, 22-year-old Raymond Peralta-Lantigua was shot by police after they responded to a disturbance on Johnson Avenue. 
The office says it is currently not ready to say if that case will go to a grand jury as well.
The announcement by the Bergen County prosecutor comes on the heels of an attorney general policy that was updated two weeks ago. It says a police shooting must go before the grand jury unless there are "undisputed facts" that show the use of force was justified.


More from News 12
2:42
Wildfire in Wharton State Forest consumes more than 300 acres of land

Wildfire in Wharton State Forest consumes more than 300 acres of land

2:06
Isolated storms tonight; freeze warning in effect for parts of NJ overnight

Isolated storms tonight; freeze warning in effect for parts of NJ overnight

0:49
Longtime US Rep. Donald Payne Jr. dies at 65 after suffering heart attack

Longtime US Rep. Donald Payne Jr. dies at 65 after suffering heart attack

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

2:56
Doctors combine a pig kidney transplant and a heart device in a bid to extend New Jersey woman's life

Doctors combine a pig kidney transplant and a heart device in a bid to extend New Jersey woman's life

2:23
'The tower is an eyesore.' Demolition of former Nabisco factory tower set to begin after 1-year delay

'The tower is an eyesore.' Demolition of former Nabisco factory tower set to begin after 1-year delay

1:03
Rep. Gottheimer announces another attempt to put an end to NYC’s congestion pricing plan

Rep. Gottheimer announces another attempt to put an end to NYC’s congestion pricing plan

0:29
Former Wawa gas attendant accused of stealing thousands of dollars from customers

Former Wawa gas attendant accused of stealing thousands of dollars from customers

1:33
AAA: New Jersey gas prices increase nearly 20 cents from last week

AAA: New Jersey gas prices increase nearly 20 cents from last week

2:12
Princeton University accused of violating civil rights of Jewish students

Princeton University accused of violating civil rights of Jewish students

0:37
Prosecutors: Former Jersey City police officer charged with sex assault, criminal restraint

Prosecutors: Former Jersey City police officer charged with sex assault, criminal restraint

0:27
Washington Township police issues warning over 'Water Wars' game

Washington Township police issues warning over 'Water Wars' game

0:34
Camden County man charged in crash that killed young mother

Camden County man charged in crash that killed young mother

2:18
Remnants of bird flu virus found in pasteurized milk, FDA says

Remnants of bird flu virus found in pasteurized milk, FDA says

0:32
US banning TikTok? Your key questions answered

US banning TikTok? Your key questions answered

0:35
Bon Jovi docuseries premieres Friday on Hulu

Bon Jovi docuseries premieres Friday on Hulu

0:31
New federal rule would bar 'noncompete' agreements for most employees

New federal rule would bar 'noncompete' agreements for most employees

1:02
Composting can save money, help gardens and save the planet. Here are 10 tips to get you started

Composting can save money, help gardens and save the planet. Here are 10 tips to get you started

1:38
What's Cooking: Uncle Giuseppe's Marketplace's Key Lime Pie

What's Cooking: Uncle Giuseppe's Marketplace's Key Lime Pie

0:31
Sources: Body recovered in Barnegat Bay believed to be missing Island Heights woman

Sources: Body recovered in Barnegat Bay believed to be missing Island Heights woman