By: Richard L. Smith
The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) has released 911 recordings and body-worn camera footage connected to the August 8, 2025, fatal police-involved shooting of a New Brunswick resident. 
The civilian has been identified as 68-year-old Ms. Deborah Terrell.
Officials said the release is part of a policy established in 2019 to ensure transparency in fatal encounters involving law enforcement.
Representatives of Ms. Terrell’s family were given an opportunity to review the recordings before their public release.
According to the preliminary investigation, New Brunswick Police first responded to Ms. Terrell’s Neilson Street apartment around 4 a.m., after a 911 call reported she was disturbing neighbors.
Officers were unable to make contact with her at that time. At 7:32 a.m., police were dispatched again following reports that Ms. Terrell was threatening tenants with a knife. Emergency medical services were also placed on standby.
Minutes later, officers encountered Ms. Terrell at her apartment door. Investigators say she opened the door holding a knife, shut it, and then repeatedly moved the blade under the door while refusing communication.
During the standoff, she opened the door several times, at one point pointing the knife at officers. Police positioned themselves with assigned “lethal” and “less lethal” roles.
When Ms. Terrell stepped into the hallway with the knife and told officers “C’mon,” police deployed pepper spray and a taser.
Investigators say she briefly retreated, then advanced toward officers still armed with the knife. One officer fired twice, striking her.
Officers rendered medical aid before Ms. Terrell was transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Authorities recovered a 12-inch knife at the scene.
Due to reported threats, the names of the officers involved are not being released at this time.
The Attorney General’s Office stressed that the matter remains under active investigation. Members of the public can review the released 911 calls and video footage here.