A Paterson police officer Tuesday was charged in an indictment with official misconduct and aggravated assault in connection with her shooting a man who got into a fight with her boyfriend in her home.
Police Officer Latrenta Grayson, 32, of Paterson, had obtained a restraining order on Feb. 6, 2009, barring 30-year-old Albert Mullings of Teaneck from her residence, according to officials. Mullings allegedly entered Grayson’s home at 238 Wall Ave. through a rear bathroom window at about 2:10 a.m. on Aug. 24, 2009. Once inside, he threatened to kill and then assaulted Grayson’s boyfriend, Anthony Spruil, authorities allege. A subsequent confrontation near Wall and 15th avenues led to Grayson firing two shots at Mullings, hitting him once in his right arm, according to officials.
Prosecutors say Grayson falsely reported the circumstances leading up to the shooting when giving her initial account to Paterson patrol officers, in her official report filed several days later and in a follow-up interview conducted by detectives from the Passaic County’s Prosecutor’s Office. Authorities say they found that Grayson was not justified at firing the two shots at Mullings in trying to protect herself or Spruill under state Attorney General’s Office guidelines on appropriate use of force by a police officer.
Mullings is also charged in the indictment with contempt of court in connection with violation of the restraining order, burglary and terroristic threats.
Officials did not offer further details of the case Tuesday. Grayson and Mullings, or their representatives, could not immediately be reached for comment nor could it be immediately confirmed what Grayson’s status is on the force.
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