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Authorities on Friday, Nov. 22, named Brandon Lee Ortega as the individual who died following a foot chase with Guttenberg police on Tuesday, Nov. 12.
The incident began around 11:02 p.m. when officers responded to 68th Street and Bellevue Avenue for a reported disturbance. Police were informed that one of the individuals involved, later identified as Ortega, was armed with a gun, according to the Attorney General’s Office.
Guttenberg Police Officer Brandon Sauerwald located Ortega near 7000 John F. Kennedy Boulevard East. Ortega fled on foot and, during the pursuit, climbed over a railing adjacent to a building before falling to his death down an embankment, authorities said.
Fire department and EMS personnel arrived at the scene, where Ortega was pronounced dead. A gun was recovered on his person, investigators said.
Under New Jersey law, the Attorney General’s Office investigates all deaths occurring during encounters with law enforcement. The findings of this case will be presented to a grand jury to determine whether charges are warranted against the officer involved.
No additional details are being released as the investigation remains ongoing.
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