Murder suspect killed in New Jersey hotel lobby shooting with police identified

The identities of the injured officers and the suspect killed in a shootout with authorities Thursday morning in Woodbridge were released Friday afternoon by the New Jersey Attorney General's Office.

The suspect killed by police in the incident was identified as Karl Gregory, 46, of New York, New York, authorities said. The two injured officers were Woodbridge Police Officer Justin Nerney and NYPD Detective Matthew Mauro, officials said.

The shooting occurred early Thursday morning at the Royal Albert's Palace Hotel in Woodbridge as authorities searched for Gregory, a suspect in a fatal shooting in New York.

New York City police investigators were searching for Gregory on Wednesday when an automatic license plate reader in Woodbridge, near the hotel on King Georges Post Road, identified his car in the area Wednesday evening, they said. officials said.

Edison and Woodbridge police went to the hotel and found Gregory's car unoccupied in the parking lot, authorities said. New York police were notified of the car and responded to the scene, where Woodbridge police were informed of the criminal investigation in New York, the attorney general's office said.

At 12:21 a.m. Thursday, Woodbridge Officers Drew Krupinski and Nerney, along with NYPD Detective Mauro, were in the hotel lobby questioning someone when officials said the doors to the The elevator had opened and Gregory had come out into the lobby with several bags.

According to a preliminary investigation, Gregory dropped the bags when he saw the officers and reached into a black backpack when an exchange of gunfire took place between Gregory, Krupinski, Nerney and Mauro.

Nerney, Mauro and Gregory were struck during the exchange, authorities said. Medical aid was provided to Gregory immediately after the shooting, but he was pronounced dead at the scene and a handgun was found near him, authorities said.

Several shell casings were also recovered at the scene and will be compared to any firearms discharged at the scene, authorities said.

Nerney and Mauro suffered gunshot wounds and were transported to a New Brunswick hospital for treatment, according to authorities. Mauro was released Thursday and Nerney Friday, officials said.

A manager for the hotel and banquet hall was not available to answer questions or make comments Friday evening.

No further information about the incident or the investigation was provided Friday. This case remains under investigation by the attorney general's office under a 2019 law that requires an investigation into any civilian death during an interaction with law enforcement.