Mercer Times

A state grand jury has decided not to press criminal charges in the case of the fatal officer-involved shooting of Daniel Nevius, 55, of Sicklerville, New Jersey. The decision was made after a thorough investigation conducted by the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) and presented to the grand jury in accordance with the Independent Prosecutor Directive of 2019.

Following the conclusion of the grand jury's deliberations on March 4, 2024, it was determined that no charges should be filed against Deptford Police Officer Luke Ivey. The investigation included witness interviews, camera footage review, and autopsy results, all of which were presented to the grand jury.

Officers from the Deptford Police Department responded to a 9-1-1 call reporting Mr. Nevius pointing a firearm at civilians. Officer Ivey fired his service weapon, striking Mr. Nevius, who was pronounced deceased at the scene. The Attorney General’s Office had previously released video footage of the incident.

According to a 2019 law, investigations into deaths during encounters with law enforcement officers must be presented to a grand jury to determine if criminal charges are warranted. The grand jury in this case was instructed on potential criminal offenses and legal justifications.

The Independent Prosecutor Directive ensures that investigations are conducted without conflicts of interest. OPIA Executive Director Thomas Eicher reviewed the investigation before it was presented to the grand jury. Following the investigation, OPIA determines if any administrative reviews are necessary and ensures appropriate actions are taken.

The Independent Prosecutor Directive and OPIA’s standard operating procedures for grand jury presentations are publicly available on the Attorney General’s website for transparency.

The decision of the state grand jury not to criminally charge Officer Luke Ivey in the fatal officer-involved shooting of Daniel Nevius has concluded a process that was thorough and transparent, following the established legal procedures and guidelines.