August 01, 2016
A New Jersey teenager who was fatally shot by police on Sunday after refusing to drop a weapon while approaching officers reportedly did it as part of a suicide attempt.
Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato announced Monday that 18-year-old Limichael Shine, of Toms River, told a 911 dispatcher that he planned to commit suicide and requested an officer be dispatched to his location at a Manchester Township home.
Officers arrived at the scene around 1:50 p.m. and discovered Shine holding a large knife. Shine instructed officers to shoot him. Despite commands to drop the knife, Shine approached the officers.
Shine was shot once by a police officer and died at a hospital.
Investigators later found a handwritten note near Shine in which he apologized to the officer who would respond. Shine's goal was to "commit suicide by officer," according to officials.
The shooting is under investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective John Carroll of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office at (732) 929-2027 ext. 3964.
Jerry Gaul contributed to this report.
