Man Fatally Shot by Cranford Police Identified as Kevin Harlfinger

The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office has released the identity of the man who was fatally shot by Cranford police during a pursuit and exchange of gunfire on the Garden State Parkway at the end of last month.

The individual in question has been identified as Kevin Harlfinger, a 40-year-old resident of Perth Amboy. The two Cranford officers involved in the incident, Christopher Folinusz and Ryan McSharry, have also been named.

According to initial investigations, the Cranford police were in pursuit of a stolen vehicle that eventually crashed in the Woodbridge area, near a southbound exit on the Garden State Parkway.

Following the crash, Harlfinger, who was driving the stolen vehicle, engaged in a shootout with the Cranford officers, Folinusz and McSharry. Sadly, Harlfinger was pronounced dead at the scene around 12:04 a.m. on December 29. A firearm was found near Harlfinger’s body.

Folinusz sustained a non-fatal gunshot wound and received treatment at a hospital before being released, as confirmed by the Attorney General’s Office.

At the time of the incident, a post by the New Jersey State PBA on X (formerly known as Twitter) stated that the officers had encountered a “violent criminal” who had fired shots at them. Additionally, an NJ.com report revealed that Harlfinger, a former resident of Metuchen, had been charged with burglary at a Franklin home back in 2016.

A GoFundMe campaign has been initiated to raise funds for Harlfinger’s funeral expenses, describing him as someone who “had faced numerous challenges in life.” As of now, the campaign has garnered approximately $2,400, which is 48% of its $5,000 target.

As per New Jersey law, the Attorney General’s Office is mandated to conduct investigations into deaths that occur during encounters with law enforcement officers while the officers are performing their official duties or when the person is in police custody. The findings of these investigations are required to be presented to a grand jury to determine if any officers involved should face charges.

The investigation is currently ongoing, and no further details are available at this time.

Email: srussell@gannettnj.com

Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for MyCentralJersey.com, covering crime, courts, and other incidents. To enjoy unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.