State AG's Office releases body cam video of Paterson police encounter with Najee Seabrooks

At one point, one of the body cam videos show 31-year-old Najee Seabrooks waving to the officers and yelling that he was armed.

News 12 Staff

Mar 17, 2023, 12:55 AM

Updated 646 days ago

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The New Jersey Attorney General's Office released police body camera video and recordings Thursday of the seven 911 calls that were made related to the police-involved fatal shooting of Najee Seabrooks.
Seabrooks had locked himself inside a bathroom of the apartment.
At one point, one of the body cam videos show 31-year-old Seabrooks waving to the officers and yelling that he was armed.
The interaction between Seabrooks and the officers lasted for about five hours. Officials implored him to come out.
Earlier on Thursday, protesters gathered outside the federal building in Paterson to demand accountability from the police department. They say Seabrooks' death could have have been prevented.
Members of the Paterson Healing Collective, the anti-violence nonprofit where Seabrooks worked, said they were at the scene trying to assist their colleague but that authorities denied them access.
Authorities have identified the two officers that opened fire and shot Seabrooks as Anzore Tsay and Jose Hernandez.
The Attorney General's Office said that the officers at the scene attempted to negotiate with Seabrooks, and they sent in a crisis negotiation team and a tactical team that deployed "less lethal force" before the two officers shot him.
Racial justice advocates are asking for the federal government to step in and investigate his death.