Mercer Times

TRENTON — A state grand jury has decided not to pursue criminal charges in the case of Luke Mendez, a 26-year-old resident of Laurence Harbor, New Jersey, who was fatally shot by Officer Christopher Hammel of the Old Bridge Police Department on April 24, 2023.

The decision came after a thorough investigation by the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) and presentation of evidence to the grand jury as required by the Independent Prosecutor Directive of 2019. Following the presentation of witness interviews, photographs, video and audio recordings, and autopsy results, the grand jury voted "no bill," indicating no criminal charges should be filed against Officer Hammel.

The incident took place when Officer Hammel responded to a 911 call about a dispute at a residence in Laurence Harbor. Mendez was holding a knife and refused to drop it despite instructions from the officer. Officer Hammel then fired his service weapon when Mendez descended the staircase with the knife, resulting in Mendez being fatally wounded and later pronounced deceased at Old Bridge Medical Center.

The investigation was conducted in accordance with the law requiring the Attorney General’s Office to investigate deaths during encounters with law enforcement officers and present findings to a grand jury. OPIA's role includes determining if further administrative review within the law enforcement agency is necessary following such investigations.

The Independent Prosecutor Directive and standard operating procedures for grand jury presentations in cases involving fatal police encounters aim to ensure transparency and accountability in such investigations.

The decision by the state grand jury not to press criminal charges against Officer Hammel concludes this chapter in the tragic incident that took the life of Luke Mendez in Laurence Harbor.