Local Man Fatally Shot By SWAT Officers, Attorney General Says

GOSHEN — Members of the county SWAT team were forced to take a man’s life following a standoff at his Williams Street home on Sun., Oct. 3.
A release from the Attorney General’s Office stated that its Shooting Response Team is conducting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting death of Douglas J. Wnek, 37. The release said Wnek allegedly threatened police with firearms and failed to comply with orders to drop his weapons. Police fired on him at about 6:53 p.m.
The Middle Township Police Department responded to the house on a report of a suicidal male. Wnek’s wife had called 911 and reported that her husband was armed and awaiting police response. She was not at the house at the time.
Upon arrival, officers observed an empty rifle case within the residence and heard a subject in the rear of the residence. According to a Herald reporter on scene, Middle Township police evacuated neighboring residents under cover as they waited for the SWAT Team. SWAT responded to the home at around 4:30 p.m.
Corporal Fran Fiore used a police vehicle P.A. system and cell phone attempting to communicate with a man he called “Doug.” He identified himself as “Middle Township Police” and ordered the man to come out of the house with his “hands up.” After the man did not respond, Fiore asked him to pick up his cell phone.
“Pick up the phone, Doug, I just want to make sure you’re okay,” he said. Fiore continued for more than an hour and at one point he told the man he could text him if he didn’t feel like talking. Police also sent in a robot to feed back live video of inside the house.
Just before 6 p.m., officers and SWAT team members were seen retreating. They also pushed back the Herald from its position. At 6:02 p.m., approximately four shots rang out and the lines were pushed back even farther.
Cape May County Hostage Negotiators responded to the scene. Communication was established with Wnek and officers attempted to negotiate a peaceful surrender.
According to the release, shortly before 7 p.m., Wnek allegedly made several threatening statements and announced that he was exiting the house. Wnek allegedly exited through the front door carrying two rifles in his hands and a shotgun slung over his shoulder. Officers screamed, “not to move.” He allegedly advanced on the surrounding officers and failed to comply with commands.
More yelling could be heard followed by four shots. Over the radio, officers reported the suspect was down and had “multiple gunshot wounds.”
According to the release, Wnek was transported to Cape Regional Medical Center by Middle Township Ambulance Corps., and Medic 9 where he was pronounced dead.
At 2 a.m. the next morning, investigators with the State Police and Attorney General’s office were still on scene. Poor lighting conditions and rain caused them to wait until daybreak to continue their investigation.
The shooting is being investigated by the Attorney General’s Shooting Response Team. Under an Attorney General Directive, the Shooting Response Team, made up of deputy attorneys general, detectives of the Division of Criminal Justice and detectives of the New Jersey State Police Major Crime Unit, are dispatched to the scene to handle investigations of shootings involving state law enforcement officers or county SWAT teams. The scene was processed by the State Police Crime Scene Investigation South Unit. The Southern Regional Medical Examiner’s Office is performing an autopsy.
While Middle Township Officers were on the scene of this incident members of the Stone Harbor Police Department and Sheriff’s Office assisted Middle Township Police with routine patrol duties as mutual aide. The Goshen and Court House Fire Departments were requested on the scene to assist with lighting.