Family of Victoria Lee Files Federal Lawsuit Over Fatal Fort Lee Police Shooting
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Fort Lee NJ, The family of Victoria Lee—a 25-year-old woman fatally shot by a Fort Lee police officer in July 2024 during a mental health crisis—has officially filed a federal wrongful death lawsuit.
The complaint alleges that officers breached the family’s apartment door and used lethal force within two minutes of arriving, completely ignoring standard de-escalation protocols for behavioral health emergencies.
Key Details of the Federal Lawsuit
The lawsuit names the Borough of Fort Lee alongside Officer Tony Pickens Jr., Sgt. Hyou Joon Lee, Officer Nicholas Cima, Officer Michael Scicutella, Sgt. George Koutroubinis, and other unnamed officers.
Key allegations in the federal filing include:
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Failure to De-escalate: Officers allegedly forced entry into the apartment “within seconds” and without attempting mental health crisis intervention.
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Point-Blank Force: The lawsuit states Officer Pickens shot Victoria Lee in the chest from point-blank range within three seconds of forcing open the door.
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Disregard of Request: The family repeatedly informed 911 dispatchers that they were requesting an ambulance for a medical evaluation, explicitly asking that police not be dispatched.
How the Mental Health Emergency Unfolded
Victoria Lee, who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2016, experienced adverse side effects after starting a new medication following a bout of depression. Her family sought to have her transported by ambulance to a mental health facility where she had previously received successful treatment.
When Lee became anxious upon learning police were en route, she picked up a small folding knife used for opening packages. Family members contacted 911 a second time to provide context, clarifying that Lee was not posing a threat to anyone.
According to the complaint:
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A “heavily armed police squad” responded without any trained mental health professionals present.
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Lee briefly opened and closed her apartment door, asking officers to “step back.”
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Lee’s mother was holding her daughter’s wrist, directing the knife toward the floor, while Lee held a large water jug in her other hand.
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Despite no visible indication that Lee posed an immediate threat to officers or her family, police breached the door and deployed lethal force.
Calls for Systemic Reform and Accountability
The lawsuit points out that Fort Lee did not participate in New Jersey’s ARRIVE Together program, an initiative created in 2021 that pairs law enforcement officers with certified crisis specialists to respond to mental health 911 calls.
Legal representatives and Lee’s family highlighted the severe trauma and systemic failures surrounding the incident:
“Individuals experiencing a mental health episode or crisis deserve to access services without the threat of violence, and their families should be able to call for help without the fear that such a call will end in their loved one’s death,” said attorney Amelia Green.
The family expressed hope that the federal litigation will bring accountability to the department and lead to crucial changes in how police respond to individuals experiencing mental health crises.
Key Takeaways
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Plaintiff: Family of Victoria Lee (25)
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Defendants: Borough of Fort Lee, Officer Tony Pickens Jr., and responding FLPD officers
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Core Allegation: Federal civil rights violations, wrongful death, failure to follow mental health crisis de-escalation protocols
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