Crime & Safety

POLL: Hostage Saved by Woodbridge Police Officer To Sue Town for $5M

Ellen Shane, who was rescued by Sgt. Edward J. Barrett in March, wants the township to pay for the pain and suffering she says she endured


The hostage whose life was saved by a r during a standoff with a knife-wielding man in March, plans to file a $5 million lawsuit against the town, citing the stress she said she suffered from the experience.

According to a report on nj.com, Ellen Shane, 62, of Carteret claims in court papers that she and her husband, Ronald Shane, were traumatized by the in .

The legal notice of claim, filed by lawyer David Corrigan of Eatontown, states that  failed to take appropriate action with the .

Garcia had grabbed Ellen Shane by the hair and was holding a knife to her throat when Barrett fired a single gunshot to the head of the hostage-taker, who died at the scene. The court papers filed on Shane's behalf suggest that the police officer should instead have attempted to calm Garcia and persuade him to release her.

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Barrett was honored by the township for his actions and .


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