Police Officer Involved in Fatal Shooting of Victoria Lee on Leave, Receiving Workers’ Compensation

Officer Tony Pickens Jr. Receives Industrial Accident Compensation Without Disciplinary Action

Congressman Andy Kim to Hold Meeting with Korean Organizations to Discuss Strengthening Public Safety

Armed Portree police officers break down the front door to enter Victoria Lee’s apartment on July 28. [포트리 경찰 보디캠 캡쳐]

The police officer who fatally shot Victoria Lee, who was struggling with mental health issues in Fort Lee, New Jersey, is currently on leave and receiving workers’ compensation. Port Lee Mayor Mark Sokolici confirmed this in a town meeting on September 5.

Officer Tony Pickens Jr., who responded to a 911 call on July 28 and fatally shot Victoria Lee, is “off duty for medical reasons and is receiving workers’ compensation,” according to Mayor Sokolici. However, the mayor declined to comment on the specific medical reasons involved.

Residents have raised concerns about the lack of action taken against Officer Pickens, who fired the shot, more than a month after Lee’s killing. They have demanded that the police officers be placed on administrative leave, excluding them from work until the results of the New Jersey State Attorney’s Office investigation are out.

However, the Portree Town government and Portree police have expressed reluctance to this request. The other police officers who were dispatched to Mr. Lee’s apartment are currently performing their duties normally. Mayor Sokolic and others agreed to the request for improvements to prevent recurrence, but decided to continue communication with residents for this purpose.

Congressman Andy Kim is expected to hold a roundtable discussion with community groups on September 6 regarding Lee’s death. Kim’s office stated, “We plan to hold a roundtable discussion with community groups to discuss strengthening public safety and the role of politics in relation to Lee’s tragic death.”