The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) has released 911 calls, police radio transmissions, and body-worn camera footage related to the fatal police-involved shooting of Jordan Barnes in Piscataway on January 5, 2026. The release follows protocols set by the Attorney General’s Office for transparency in investigations involving deadly encounters with law enforcement. Family members of Mr. Barnes were allowed to review the recordings before they were made public.
According to investigators, Piscataway Police received two emergency calls around 5:30 p.m. on January 5. The first call included a woman shouting “Stop! Stop!” with other commotion audible in the background. Authorities later determined this call came from Jeanmarie Barnes, a relative of Jordan Barnes who was later found dead inside the home. The second call was from another family member reporting that Mr. Barnes was threatening others with a knife inside the residence.
When officers arrived at about 5:33 p.m., they saw Mr. Barnes on the front porch, where he picked up a knife before going back into the house and locking the door. Officers spoke with a relative outside who said three people remained inside with Mr. Barnes. During this time, Mr. Barnes appeared at an upstairs window, gestured toward his neck, and told officers they would not be allowed inside.
Several officers gathered at the front porch as one tried speaking to Mr. Barnes through the closed door. Officer John Ward looked through a sidelight window and saw two unresponsive individuals lying on the floor inside. Officers decided to enter using a key provided by a relative.
Upon entry, officers encountered Mr. Barnes holding a kitchen knife in his left hand and ordered him to drop it and get on the ground; he did not comply and moved toward them instead. Three officers deployed tasers without effect before Officer Ward fired his service weapon, hitting Mr. Barnes. Police gave immediate medical aid but emergency personnel pronounced him dead at the scene.
Authorities recovered two knives: one large kitchen knife from near where Mr. Barnes had been standing and another broken knife at the entrance threshold.
After securing the scene, police discovered Jeanmarie Barnes (60), Richard A. Barnes (86), and Brenda F. Barnes (84) deceased inside with multiple suspected stab wounds; their deaths are under investigation by the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office.
The ongoing investigation is required under state law N.J.S.A 52:17B-107(a)(2), which mandates that any death during an encounter with law enforcement must be reviewed by a grand jury to determine if criminal charges are warranted against involved officers.
Recordings related to this incident have been made available for public viewing online.
The New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin leads an office tasked with protecting residents’ lives and property while providing statewide legal support and enforcing laws across all counties and municipalities (official website). The office also provides oversight for law enforcement agencies throughout New Jersey (official website), regulates public safety matters (official website), supports crime labs, offers victim advocacy services (official website), oversees consumer protection initiatives (official website), and acts as a central agency focused on justice within New Jersey (official website).
No further information is being released at this time as investigations continue.