Attorney General Releases Body Camera Footage in Fatal Jersey City Police-Involved Shooting

The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office of Public Integrity and Accountability released body-worn camera and surveillance footage on Wednesday related to a fatal police-involved shooting that occurred on September 5, 2025, on John F. Kennedy Boulevard in Jersey City.

The decedent has been identified as Steven B. Sanchez, 26, of Jersey City.

According to the investigation, at approximately 1:22 p.m., two uniformed Jersey City officers were traveling southbound on JFK Boulevard in a marked police vehicle. Jersey City Police Sgt. Ricardo Reyes, traveling northbound in a separate marked vehicle, made a U-turn after determining someone may have fired at his vehicle. A civilian then pointed out Sanchez, who was walking southbound, as the individual who had allegedly shot at Reyes’ vehicle.

The two southbound officers also made a U-turn and exited their vehicle near Clinton Avenue at approximately 1:23 p.m. Officers observed Sanchez in possession of what appeared to be a handgun and issued commands for him to drop the weapon. Sanchez then pointed the weapon in the officers’ direction.

Reyes exited his vehicle and exchanged fire with Sanchez, who was struck. After being struck, Sanchez fired his weapon toward officers and ran toward Reyes. A physical struggle followed and Sanchez was taken into custody. Officers rendered medical aid until EMS arrived.

Sanchez was transported to Jersey City Medical Center, where he was pronounced deceased at approximately 8:45 p.m. Reyes sustained a non-life-threatening injury. No other officers or civilians were injured. A compressed air pistol and numerous projectiles were recovered at the scene.

Representatives of Sanchez’s family were given an opportunity to review the recordings prior to their public release.

The investigation remains ongoing. Under New Jersey law, all fatal police-involved encounters must be presented to a grand jury to determine whether the evidence supports an indictment. No further information is being released at this time.