LYNDHURST, N.J. — A 38-year-old man sought in a Union County homicide investigation died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound as SWAT officers attempted to take him into custody outside his Lake Avenue home, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said in an update.
Authorities identified the man as Brendan R. Trivisonno, who fled officers and barricaded himself inside the residence early April 16 before the fatal shooting, according to the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office.
Standoff ends in fatal shooting inside home
The incident began around 5:33 a.m. when the Union County Prosecutor’s Office and the Lyndhurst Police Department moved to arrest Trivisonno on charges connected to a homicide investigation in Union County.
Officials said Trivisonno ran from officers and retreated into the home, prompting a response from the Bergen County Regional SWAT Team. Negotiators attempted to communicate with him from outside while he remained alone inside.
During the standoff, Trivisonno fired a gun and suffered what investigators later confirmed was a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
SWAT officers then entered the residence and found him inside. Tactical Emergency Medical Services from Hackensack University Medical Center were already on scene and attempted lifesaving measures, but he was pronounced dead.
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Key Points
• Brendan R. Trivisonno, 38, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound during a SWAT response
• Authorities attempted to arrest him in connection with a Union County homicide case
• The standoff unfolded early April 16 at a home on Lake Avenue in Lyndhurst
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Attorney General’s Office oversees investigation
Following the shooting, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office notified the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General, which then designated Bergen County to lead the investigation into the death.
Detectives from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit responded and confirmed the cause of death as a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to Prosecutor Musella.
The involvement of the Attorney General’s Office follows standard protocol in incidents involving law enforcement encounters resulting in death.
Multi-agency response during early morning operation
The attempted arrest brought together multiple agencies, including the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, Lyndhurst Police Department, and Bergen County Regional SWAT Team.
Officials have not released additional details about the underlying homicide investigation in Union County that led to the arrest warrant.
Prosecutor Musella acknowledged the coordination among agencies involved in the operation, thanking them for their assistance during the incident.
Broader context and next steps
Fatal encounters during attempted arrests, particularly those involving barricaded individuals, often trigger layered investigations to determine the sequence of events and confirm findings.
In this case, authorities have already established that Trivisonno was alone in the residence and that the gunshot wound was self-inflicted, narrowing the scope of the inquiry.
The Union County homicide case tied to Trivisonno remains separate and unresolved based on currently available information.
As of the latest update, the investigation into Trivisonno’s death remains active but has confirmed the cause as suicide, with oversight by the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General and continued involvement from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office.
