The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office of Public Integrity and Accountability has released the names of those involved in a fatal police-involved shooting that occurred on September 5, 2025, in Jersey City. The individual who died was identified as Steven B. Sanchez, 26, of Jersey City. The officer involved was Jersey City Police Sergeant Ricardo Reyes.
According to the preliminary investigation, officers encountered Mr. Sanchez on the sidewalk of John F. Kennedy Boulevard near Clinton Avenue during the afternoon hours. Sgt. Reyes and other uniformed officers exited their patrol vehicles before an exchange of gunfire took place between Sgt. Reyes and Mr. Sanchez. During this incident, Mr. Sanchez was struck and injured by gunfire. Authorities recovered a weapon at the scene, which was later determined to be a compressed air pistol.
Mr. Sanchez was transported to Jersey City Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at approximately 8:45 p.m. Sgt. Reyes sustained injuries described as non-life-threatening.
The investigation remains ongoing and no further details have been provided at this time.
Under a state law enacted in 2019 (N.J.S.A. 52:17B-107(a)(2)), the Attorney General’s Office is required to investigate any death occurring during an encounter with law enforcement or while a person is in custody. The law also mandates that these investigations are presented to a grand jury to determine whether evidence supports returning an indictment against any involved officers.
