A state grand jury in New Jersey has decided not to file criminal charges following the death of Omar Williams, 43, during a police pursuit in East Orange on July 23, 2024. The incident involved members of the Bloomfield Police Department.
The Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) led the investigation into Mr. Williams’ death. Evidence presented to the grand jury included witness statements, photographs, radio transmissions, video from police dashboard and body-worn cameras as well as third-party footage, and autopsy results. After reviewing this evidence and hearing testimony, the grand jury concluded its deliberations on February 9, 2026. The result was a “no bill,” meaning no criminal charges would be filed against any officer involved.
According to investigative findings, two robberies occurred earlier that day: one outside an Acme grocery store in Montclair at about 10:57 a.m., and another outside a CVS in Bloomfield at around 11:12 a.m. In both cases, female victims were robbed of their purses by suspects fleeing in a Nissan Sentra that had been reported stolen from Montclair the previous day.
Law enforcement used automated license plate recognition technology to track the vehicle to Newark later that day. At approximately 12:57 p.m., Bloomfield Deputy Chief Anthony Sisco located the Nissan in Newark using an unmarked car and coordinated with Lieutenant Michael Moleski and Detective James Romano. When officers approached, the Nissan sped away; Lieutenant Moleski and Detective Romano pursued it into East Orange with Sergeant Raymond Diaz joining in a marked vehicle with lights and sirens activated.
The chase covered nearly three miles over four minutes before ending when the Nissan entered oncoming traffic on Park Avenue in East Orange. A Toyota Camry making a left turn was sideswiped by the Nissan, which then struck a parked ambulance. Officers removed Mr. Williams—unconscious—from the vehicle; he was pronounced dead at a local hospital at 1:38 p.m., while other civilians involved sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
Video footage related to this encounter has previously been released online for public viewing.
Under N.J.S.A. 52:17B-107(a)(2), any death occurring during an encounter with law enforcement must be investigated by the Attorney General’s Office and presented to a grand jury for possible indictment consideration against officers involved. The grand jury receives instructions on relevant criminal offenses as well as legal justifications such as self-defense.
A conflicts check found no actual or potential conflicts among those assigned to OPIA’s investigation; Executive Director Eric Gibson reviewed all materials before presentation to the grand jury.
Following conclusion of this process, OPIA will determine if administrative review is warranted under internal affairs policy guidelines for any officer involved. OPIA will oversee any resulting review to ensure timely completion and appropriate actions based on outcomes.
The New Jersey Attorney General’s office operates statewide across all counties and municipalities enforcing laws, providing oversight for law enforcement agencies—including investigations like these—and offering services such as victim advocacy and consumer protection initiatives (official website). It holds authority over public safety matters through legal representation, regulation enforcement, crime lab support, prosecution of offenses under statutory mandates (official website).
Further details about how fatal police encounters are investigated under state protocols can be found through resources provided by OPIA.
