MANTOLOKING – It was not his first run-in with the law, but it was his last.
Edward M. Walsh has a 20-year criminal history, ranging from things as benign to traffic violations and a small amount of marijuana possession to the more recent kidnapping and weapons charges.
The Stafford Township resident died Monday, after being shot by police after Walsh attacked a K-9 Officer, Kane. The dog, who was taken to Red Bank Veterinary Hospital with stab wounds, was released Wednesday and will likely make a full recovery.
Walsh had barricaded himself inside a Barnegat Lane home in Mantoloking, a home once owned by a former in-law. Police tracked him to that location and planned to arrest him in connection with those alleged kidnapping charges; he allegedly strangled his girlfriend, who lives in Sayreville, and stole her car. He was going to be charged with kidnapping, aggravated assault, theft, and several weapons violations.
The current owner of the Barnegat Lane home granted police permission to enter the home Monday afternoon. Walsh, wielding a knife, refused to drop it when ordered. K-9 Kane was released to subdue Walsh. Walsh stabbed the K-9, and officers fired.
Walsh, 39, was pronounced dead on the scene. An autopsy is pending. It’s unclear if he died from the gunshots or a self-inflicted stab wound on his neck.
As per state law, when police use deadly force, the State Attorney General’s Office must investigate.
