An investigation continues into the fatal shooting of a retired NYPD officer in Ocean County on Saturday,

Acting Attorney General Christopher Porrino said Patrick Fennell, 57, was shot by the Ocean County Regional SWAT team in a wooded area around his home on Sycamore Drive in Little Egg Harbor Township after taking a handgun.

Fennell's wife reported her husband was behaving "in a strange manner" on Saturday and was in the basement, where weapons are stored, according to Porrino. Police saw Fennell leave the home with a handgun and spread out to keep Fennell contained to a wooded area, according to Porrino.

At approximately 10:30 p.m., officers confronted Fennell, Porrino said. A member of the SWAT team fired multiple rounds, striking Fennell.  Police recovered a handgun at the scene of the shooting.  Fennell was pronounced dead at the scene.

Porrino did not say who fired first or what prompted the SWAT team member to fire. Porrino also didn't identify the member of the SWAT team who fired.

The NYPD Deputy Commissioner Public Information confirmed that Fennell was with the department from August, 1981 until his retirement in November, 2001. The DCPI would not provide information about his career with the NYPD, but Fennell's Facebook page said he was a detective lieutenant.

A newspaper clipping posted on Facebook indicates he won two Distinguished Duty Medals for his action in two incidents.

Friend Vito LaBella posted on Facebook Fennell had brain cancer.

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