Case Summary
- Case Type
- Homicide
- Incident Date
- Wednesday
- Incident Time
- 5:15 p.m.
- Location
- Gotham Parkway near West Commercial Avenue, Moonachie, NJ
- Investigating Agency
- New Jersey Attorney General's Office / New Jersey State Police
- Suspect
- Roberto Castro-Quinonez
- Suspect Age
- 30
- Case Status
- Under investigation
MOONACHIE, N.J. - A 30-year-old California man was fatally shot by a New Jersey State Police detective during an encounter on Wednesday afternoon in Moonachie, New Jersey, according to official statements released by the New Jersey Attorney General's Office.
Authorities identified the deceased individual as Roberto Castro-Quinonez, a resident of Bakersfield, California. The fatal encounter took place during a plainclothes law enforcement operation in an industrial section of Bergen County, where state police personnel were conducting an active criminal investigation into commercial property crimes.
Incident Overview
According to preliminary information released by the New Jersey Attorney General's Office, the deadly shooting occurred at approximately 5:15 p.m. on Wednesday in the area of Gotham Parkway near West Commercial Avenue in Moonachie. Plainclothes detectives assigned to the New Jersey State Police were present in the industrial corridor as part of an ongoing investigation into commercial trucking thefts centered in the neighboring borough of Carlstadt.
Investigators stated that during the operation, Castro-Quinonez approached one of the plainclothes detectives, initiating an interaction between the two men. A second state police detective subsequently arrived at the scene to assist. According to law enforcement officials, the interaction escalated when Castro-Quinonez allegedly pulled a knife on one of the troopers. In response, another detective fired his duty-issued service weapon twice, striking Castro-Quinonez. Officers at the scene attempted to administer medical aid immediately following the shooting; however, Castro-Quinonez was pronounced dead at 5:44 p.m.
Timeline of Events
- 5:15 p.m. - New Jersey State Police detectives operating in a plainclothes capacity conduct a criminal investigation regarding commercial trucking thefts near Gotham Parkway and West Commercial Avenue in Moonachie.
- Between 5:15 p.m. and 5:44 p.m. - Roberto Castro-Quinonez approaches a plainclothes detective. A second detective arrives to assist. Castro-Quinonez allegedly pulls a knife on a trooper, prompting a detective to discharge his duty weapon twice. Officers perform emergency medical aid.
- 5:44 p.m. - Castro-Quinonez is pronounced dead at the scene by medical personnel following the shooting encounter.
Suspect Information
The individual shot during the confrontation was identified by state authorities as Roberto Castro-Quinonez, aged 30, residing in Bakersfield, California. State officials have not released additional background details regarding Castro-Quinonez, including his employment history, prior contacts with law enforcement, or the specific duration or purpose of his presence in Bergen County, New Jersey, at the time of the incident.
Police Response
Detectives with the New Jersey State Police were already in the immediate vicinity in plainclothes as part of an active law enforcement operation targeting regional commercial cargo thefts. Following the discharge of the detective's service firearm, officers on scene initiated life-saving efforts and rendered initial medical care to Castro-Quinonez prior to the formal pronouncement of death by attending medical authorities at 5:44 p.m.
Investigation
The fatal shooting is under active investigation by the Office of the Attorney General of New Jersey. Under state law and administrative policy, the Attorney General's Office maintains direct investigative authority over all police-involved fatal encounters within the state. The independent review seeks to determine the full factual timeline, evaluate officer conduct, review forensic evidence, and assess compliance with official use-of-force standards established across New Jersey law enforcement agencies.
Evidence Collected
- A duty-issued firearm belonging to a New Jersey State Police detective, which was discharged twice during the incident.
- A knife allegedly brandished by Castro-Quinonez during his interaction with state troopers.
Charges Filed
No criminal charges have been filed against any individual in connection with this incident. Under New Jersey criminal procedure, formal charges, if any, are evaluated upon completion of comprehensive factual investigations conducted by state oversight authorities.
To provide context on the legal framework surrounding allegations involved in criminal investigations of this nature, New Jersey Code of Criminal Justice (Title 2C) establishes specific statutory definitions and penalty structures for related potential offenses:
- Aggravated Assault on Law Enforcement (N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(b)): Under New Jersey law, a person is guilty of aggravated assault if they attempt to cause or knowingly cause bodily injury to a law enforcement officer acting in the performance of official duties. When committed while brandishing or utilizing a deadly weapon, such as a knife, the offense is graded as a crime of the third or second degree. A second-degree crime carries a statutory penalty of five to ten years in state prison, while a third-degree crime carries a term of three to five years.
- Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5): Possessing a weapon, including certain knives, under circumstances not manifestly appropriate for lawful use is classified under state law as a crime. Depending on the specific weapon type and prior criminal history, penalties range from fourth-degree crimes carrying up to 18 months in prison to higher degree felony charges.
- Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose (N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4): A person who possesses any firearm or weapon with a purpose to use it unlawfully against the person or property of another commits a crime of the second or third degree, subject to state prison terms and statutory sentencing enhancements.
- Commercial Cargo Theft (N.J.S.A. 2C:20-3): Theft offenses involving commercial freight, trucking, or stolen property are graded based on the financial value of the goods involved. Theft of property exceeding $75,000 in value is graded as a second-degree crime in New Jersey, carrying five to ten years imprisonment upon conviction, alongside mandatory restitution requirements.
Court Information
Because the encounter occurred within Moonachie, Bergen County, any judicial proceedings or legal matters arising from the investigation fall within the jurisdiction of the Superior Court of New Jersey, Bergen County Vicinage, located at the Bergen County Justice Center in Hackensack, New Jersey. At present, no court docket or formal criminal complaint numbers have been generated, as the event remains under independent executive and administrative investigation by state prosecutors.
In New Jersey, grand jury proceedings regarding officer-involved fatalities are governed by official rules of court and statutory directives. Grand juries in New Jersey operate under strict confidentiality provisions under New Jersey Court Rule 3:6. The grand jury consists of 23 citizens tasked with evaluating evidence presented by state prosecutors to determine whether probable cause exists to return an indictment against involved parties.
Statements from Authorities
According to official statements released by the New Jersey Attorney General's Office, state police detectives were actively conducting an investigation into commercial trucking thefts when the encounter took place. Authorities confirmed that preliminary information indicates Castro-Quinonez allegedly drew a knife on a detective before another detective opened fire, adding that additional investigation details will be released publicly as the inquiry progresses.
Public Safety Information
Members of the community who have eyewitness information, video footage, or relevant details regarding the incident in Moonachie are encouraged to contact the New Jersey Attorney General's Office or local law enforcement. Community members experiencing mental health challenges, crisis situations, or requiring immediate emergency support are reminded to call or text the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, or contact emergency services directly by dialing 911.
What Happens Next
The Office of the Attorney General of New Jersey will proceed with its independent investigation pursuant to Attorney General Law Enforcement Directive 2019-4, commonly known as the Independent Prosecutor Directive. Under this standardized process, investigators from the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) collect physical and digital evidence, review body-worn or dashcam recordings, perform forensic firearm testing, examine autopsy findings provided by the state medical examiner, and conduct thorough witness interviews.
Once the independent factual investigation is concluded, the Attorney General's Office is mandated to present the complete findings to a grand jury to determine whether criminal charges should be brought regarding the use of deadly force, unless strict administrative exceptions are satisfied. Additionally, under state transparency policies, available video and audio records documenting the shooting are generally released publicly once primary witness statements have been fully compiled.
