By: Richard L. Smith
The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office has released body-worn camera footage and radio recordings from a fatal police-involved shooting that claimed the life of a Lacey Township woman earlier this year.
According to the Attorney General’s Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA), the incident occurred shortly after 2 a.m. on March 16, 2026, at a residence on Hemlock Drive near Birch Road in the Lanoka Harbor section of Lacey Township.
Authorities said 55-year-old Susanne Clarke called 911 reporting that she believed she was suffering from a heart attack.
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Four Lacey Township police officers responded to the home and attempted to make contact with Clarke, who spoke with officers through a window but repeatedly refused to come to the door, telling them to leave her alone.
Police remained at the residence for approximately 30 minutes while continuing efforts to check on Clarke’s welfare. EMS crews also responded to the scene.
During that time, officers reported seeing Clarke moving around inside the home and at one point lying on the floor.
According to the preliminary investigation, Officer Dallas Gant later looked through a rear sliding glass door and reported seeing a dog that appeared to have suffered a knife wound.
Officers then attempted to enter the residence to conduct a welfare check. After unsuccessfully trying to force open the front door, Officer Gant attempted to enter through a side window but immediately retreated after seeing Clarke holding a knife.
Investigators said Clarke then exited the home through the rear sliding glass door while armed with the knife and advanced toward multiple officers.
Despite repeated commands to drop the weapon, authorities said Clarke continued advancing. Officer Gant fired multiple rounds from his service weapon, striking Clarke.
Medical aid was immediately provided, but Clarke was pronounced dead at the scene at 3:24 a.m. A knife was recovered from the scene.
The Attorney General’s Office said the shooting remains under investigation by OPIA.
The release of the recordings follows the state’s transparency policy requiring the public release of body camera footage and other recordings in police use-of-deadly-force investigations.
Representatives of Clarke’s family were given an opportunity to review the recordings before they were made public.