Belleville Police Fatally Shoot Domestic Violence Suspect

Authorities say a northern New Jersey man accused of domestic violence was shot and killed by police officers after he lunged at them with two knives.

Essex County Prosecutor's Office Spokeswoman Kathy Carter says 40-year-old Dante Cespedes was pronounced dead around 2 a.m. Tuesday at his Belleville home.

Cespedes wife had gone to Belleville police headquarters earlier in the night and claimed he physically abused her. Four police officers then went to the home to arrest Cespedes on assault charges and serve him with a temporary restraining order.

Carter says Cespedes appeared to be intoxicated and soon lunged at the officers. Three of the officers then fired their weapons and shot him.

The shooting is under investigation by the prosecutor's office, which is standard policy in police-involved shootings.

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