The Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office is investigating an incident Nov. 15 where use of force was used by police in an a domestic violence incident that ended in a township man’s suicide.
by James McEvoy, Managing Editor
HAMILTON — The Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office is investigating an incident Nov. 15 where use of force was used by police in an a domestic violence incident that ended in a township man’s suicide.
According to an email from Angelo Onofri, first assistant prosecutor, just after 10 p.m. Hamilton police received a 911 call reporting a domestic violence incident in the 1300 block of Cedar Lane.
The female caller, who was not identified by authorities, reported that Gary Boyd Sr., who she had a temporary restraining order against, had been sending her text messages and had appeared from the basement door while she was still on the phone with police.
Mr. Boyd, according to Mr. Onofri, began stabbing himself with a knife. The caller was able to leave the house and make her way to a neighbor’s driveway. Mr. Boyd continued to follow where he again stabbed himself.
Two Hamilton Township Police units arrived on scene and “repeatedly directed” Mr. Boyd, now also located in the neighbor’s driveway, to drop the knife. Instead, the “preliminary investigation” has revealed he then brandished the knife in a “threatening manner” prompting an officer to shoot him, according to the email.
Mr. Boyd was then taken to Capital Health Regional Medical Center, Trenton, where he was pronounced dead after an emergency surgery at 4:49 a.m.
The county prosecutor’s investigation is in accordance with the Attorney General’s use of force guidelines.
Mr. Boyd’s death was ruled a suicide with the cause of death determined to be a penetrating stab would to the heart after an autopsy was conducted by the Mercer County medical examiner Monday.
The examiner also noted three gunshot wounds: one in each arm and one to the right thigh.