New Brunswick Police Shooting: Family Demands Answers in Death of Deborah Terrell

Incident Overview

• 📌 Deborah Terrell, a 68-year-old mother and great-grandmother, was fatally shot by New Brunswick police officers on August 8th.
• 💔 Her family states she struggled with mental illness, specifically schizophrenia, and believes the shooting was preventable.

Police Response and Family Concerns

• 🚨 Officers responded to a call about Terrell holding a knife and pacing in her apartment hallway.
• 🏠 Officials claim Terrell exited her apartment with a knife, leading officers to attempt subduing her with pepper spray and a taser.
• 💥 Cell phone video shows officers engaging Terrell behind a locked door before a shot is fired, resulting in her death.
• 🗣️ The family questions the police actions, stating Terrell was not given an opportunity to respond to commands.

Investigation and Call for Accountability

• 🔍 The New Brunswick Police Department has not yet responded to requests for comment.
• ⚖️ The New Jersey Attorney General's office is conducting an investigation, which could take weeks or months to conclude.
• ✊ Terrell's family is pushing for accountability and changes in how police handle individuals in crisis.