A horrific crime recently rocked a quiet New Jersey community, and investigators are trying to piece together what happened. Officers from the Piscataway Police Department responded to a call about a man with a knife in the early evening hours of January 5, 2026. By the time they arrived, three people had died. Police reportedly found 29-year-old Jordan Barnes at the scene, wielding a knife. Officers told him to drop the weapon, but he did not comply. Officers first tried Tasers to subdue Jordan Barnes, but when that didn’t work, a service weapon ultimately stopped the suspect, who later died.
The Attorney General’s Office of Public Integrity and Accountability reported that officers arrived at the home just after 5:30 p.m. Officer John Ward saw two victims lying on the floor, unresponsive. Police entered the house and confronted Barnes.
“Officers commanded Mr. Barnes to put the knife down and get on the ground. Mr. Barnes did not drop the knife or get on the ground. Three officers deployed their tasers. Mr. Barnes continued to walk toward the officers and Officer Ward fired his service weapon, striking Mr. Barnes,” the release noted.
Police performed life-saving aid until emergency medical services personnel arrived. Barnes died a short time later.
The attorney general’s office identified the victims as Jeanmarie Barnes, 60, Richard A. Barnes, 86, and Brenda F. Barnes, 84.
Piscataway Mayor Brian Wahler told News 12 that Jordan Barnes’ father made the 911 call to warn of his son’s behavior. The mayor said the victims were Jordan Barnes’ mother and grandparents.
“From what I understand, the preliminary investigation, [the officers] followed every guideline and gave every available opportunity to the perpetrator, suspect, to surrender, and obviously, he did not want to do that,” the mayor told the outlet. “Given the fact the individual was carrying a machete and already committed three murders inside, you have to think about the officers’ health and well-being, too.”
Neighbor Keith Heron told NJ.com he knew Jeanmarie Barnes. “We spoke a few times in the backyard, but other than that I wasn’t aware of the entire family except for her. She was a very nice lady, from what I know.”
He heard sirens while in his home the day of the killings.
“I was working, and when I looked outside I saw the commotion and I realized something was wrong,” Heron told NJ.com. “From what I know it’s a quiet neighborhood, so for something like this to happen right in my backyard, that’s shocking. It’s just a sad time and I’m praying for the rest of the family members.”
Per News 12, an additional four to five people went to the hospital for minor injuries. The incident remains under investigation.
What a horrific way to begin a new year. Hopefully, the family and community will heal from this tragedy.
