New Jersey AG Releases Identities in Fatal Police Shooting
Summary
The New Jersey Attorney General's Office of Public Integrity and Accountability has released the identities of the decedent and the officer involved in a fatal police-involved shooting that occurred on March 16, 2026, in Lacey Township. The investigation into the incident, which resulted in the death of Susanne Clarke, is ongoing.
What changed
The New Jersey Attorney General's Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) has identified Susanne Clarke, 55, as the decedent and Lacey Township Police Officer Dallas Gant as the officer involved in a fatal police-involved shooting on March 16, 2026. The incident occurred after officers responded to a 911 call, and Officer Gant discharged his weapon, striking Ms. Clarke outside her residence. A knife was recovered at the scene.
This release is an update as part of an ongoing investigation mandated by N.J.S.A. 52:17B-107(a)(2), which requires the Attorney General's Office to investigate deaths occurring during encounters with law enforcement. The findings will be presented to a grand jury. Regulated entities, particularly law enforcement agencies, should note the ongoing nature of such investigations and the requirement for transparency in reporting these incidents.
What to do next
- Review internal policies regarding officer-involved shooting investigations.
- Ensure compliance with N.J.S.A. 52:17B-107(a)(2) for reporting and investigation procedures.
Archived snapshot
Mar 21, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
UPDATE: AG’s Office Releases Identities of the Decedent and Police Officer from Fatal Police-Involved Shooting in Lacey Township on March 16, 2026
UPDATE: AG’s Office Releases Identities of the Decedent and Police Officer from Fatal Police-Involved Shooting in Lacey Township on March 16, 2026
by NJOAG Communications WC | Mar 20, 2026 | Birch Road | Fatal Police-Involved Shooting | Hemlock Drive | Investigation | knife | Lacey Township | Lanoka Harbor | Office of Public Integrity and Accountability | OPIA | Update | Office of Public Integrity and Accountability | Press Release | Public Integrity |
For Immediate Release: March 20, 2026
Office of The Attorney General
– Jennifer Davenport, Attorney General
Office of Public Integrity and Accountability
– Eric L. GIbson, Executive Director
For Further Information:
Media Inquiries-
Dan Prochilo
OAGpress@njoag.gov
TRENTON — The Attorney General’s Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) today identified the decedent and the officer in connection with a fatal police-involved shooting on March 16, 2026, in the Lanoka Harbor section of Lacey Township, New Jersey. The civilian who died during the encounter has been identified as Susanne Clarke, 55, of Lacey.
According to the preliminary investigation, Lacey Township police officers were dispatched to a residence on Hemlock Drive, near the intersection of Birch Road, in Lanoka Harbor shortly after 2:00 a.m., in response to a 911 call reporting a medical event. During an encounter with the caller, Ms. Clarke, outside the home at approximately 2:44 a.m., Lacey Township Police Officer Dallas Gant fired his service weapon, striking Ms. Clarke. She was pronounced deceased at the scene at 3:24 a.m. Law enforcement recovered a knife at the scene outside the home.
The investigation is ongoing, and no further information is available at this time.
N.J.S.A. 52:17B-107(a)(2) requires the Attorney General’s Office to conduct investigations of a person’s death that occurs during an encounter with a law enforcement officer acting in the officer’s official capacity or while the decedent is in custody. It requires that all such investigations be presented to a grand jury to determine if the evidence supports the return of an indictment against the officer or officers involved.
Further information about how fatal police encounters are investigated in New Jersey under the Independent Prosecutor Directive can be found here:
https://www.nj.gov/oag/dcj/agguide/directives/ag-Directive-2019-4.pdf
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