By: Richard L. Smith
The Attorney General’s Office released video from officers’ body-worn cameras related to a deadly police-involved shooting at a Pine Brook motel on Saturday, December 31, 2022.
According to AG Matthew J. Platkin, James Allandale, 61, formerly known as James Allan, of Denville, sustained fatal injuries in the incident at the motel on Route 46 on New Year’s Eve.
According to the preliminary information, members of the Morris County Sheriff’s Emergency Response Team (“SERT”) were at the motel to assist Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office detectives with taking Mr. Allandale into custody based on an arrest warrant issued for Mr. Allandale, charging him with attempted murder and other related charges in connection with an incident on December 27, 2022, in Elmwood Park.
Attorney General Platkin said detectives ascertained that Mr. Allandale was inside a particular room.
Members of the Morris County SERT made entry at approximately 7:18 p.m., whereupon Mr. Allandale exchanged gunfire with Sgt. Fred Jackson of the Denville Police Department and Morristown Police Sgt. James Krauss, who are members of the Morris County SERT.
According to AG Platkin, a paramedic attached to the SERT was on the scene to provide advanced life support, but Mr. Allandale was pronounced deceased at approximately 7:27 p.m.
Authorities recovered a firearm near the decedent.
The two officers were transported to an area hospital for non-life-threatening injuries and were released, according to AG Platkin
The shooting is under investigation by the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA).
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 fatal police encounters.