The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) has released body-worn camera footage and a 911 call related to a fatal police-involved shooting that took place on November 3, 2024, in the Westmont section of Haddon Township. The individual who died was identified as Keith Edelin, 46, of Pennsauken.
The release of these recordings is part of the Attorney General’s policy to promote transparency in investigations involving police use of deadly force. According to the office, family members of Mr. Edelin were given an opportunity to review the material before it was made public.
Authorities stated that at approximately 1:07 a.m., officers from the Haddon Township Police Department responded to a report of an attempted burglary at an apartment complex on West Crystal Lake Avenue. Upon arrival, officers observed blood in several areas including the lobby and elevator. They followed these signs to a stairwell where they encountered Mr. Edelin, who was armed with a knife.
Officers issued multiple commands for Mr. Edelin to drop the weapon and told him they were there to help. After about two minutes during which further commands were given, Mr. Edelin moved toward the officers while still holding the knife. Officer Luke Falkenberg then fired his service weapon, striking Mr. Edelin.
Police provided medical aid until emergency responders arrived and transported Mr. Edelin to Cooper University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead roughly one hour later. No officers were injured during the incident; a knife was recovered at the scene.
A law enacted in New Jersey requires that any death occurring during an encounter with law enforcement be investigated by the Attorney General’s Office and presented to a grand jury for review regarding possible indictment of involved officers.
“The recordings are being released pursuant to policies established by the Attorney General’s Office in 2019 designed to promote the fair, impartial, and transparent investigation of police use of deadly force,” according to information from OPIA.
The investigation into this incident remains ongoing.
More details about procedures for investigating fatal police encounters can be found on the Attorney General’s website.
