Bodycam footage released after man dies following struggle with NJ troopers

Content warning: The bodycam video above contains graphic language and weapons.

(WPHL)– The New Jersey Attorney General’s office has released bodycam footage after a man died after he was involved in a “struggle” with NJ State Troopers in February 2024.

The bodycam footage, radio, communication transmissions, and the 911 call have all been released by the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability.

The incident occurred on February 12, 2024, in Knowlton, NJ, following a 911 call at 7:51 p.m. alerting police about an active shooter in a house on Columbia Street.

Police entered the residence and found a female victim suffering from gunshot wounds. She was later pronounced dead.

NJ State Troopers obtained a description of the suspect and nearby troopers located Armond Anthony Avitable in the area of Route 46 and Interstate 80. 

Police attempted to take Avitable into custody, which is when he began suffering from a “medical episode”.

“While in police custody, he suffered a medical episode and became unresponsive. NJSP troopers performed lifesaving efforts, including the deployment of an automated external defibrillator, until emergency medical personnel responded to the scene to render aid,” said the statement from the Attorney General’s Office.

As seen in the bodycam footage, police locate Avitable in the grassy area between Route 46 and Interstate 80.

Police announce their presence and head towards Avitable, ordering him to put his hands up and get on the ground.

Avitable was heard yelling, “Don’t kill me” repeatedly while police struggled to hold him down on the ground and put him in handcuffs.

The man is repeatedly heard yelling and struggling to get out of the police’s grasp throughout the duration of the video.

As police attempted to calm him down, they described their actions to Avitable, telling him they were going to help him sit up.

As police awaited backup, Avitable suffered a medical episode and lost consciousness.

“He’s not moving,” said one of the troopers as they began performing CPR on him.

The bodycam footage then cuts off.

Avitable was taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital in East Stroudsburg, where he was later pronounced dead at 8:57 p.m. 

The circumstances of Avitable’s death or what triggered the medical episode have not been released.

“A 2019 law, 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,” the statement continued.

The Attorney General’s office says the investigation is ongoing and no further information is being released at this time.