Mercer Times

A state grand jury in New Jersey has decided not to press criminal charges against two police officers involved in the fatal shooting of Shannon Rose, a resident of Manchester Township. The incident occurred on December 5, 2023, when Mr. Rose was shot during an encounter with officers Nicholas Greenwood and Michael Anderson from the Manchester Township Police Department.

The Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) led the investigation into Mr. Rose's death, following procedures set by the Attorney General’s Independent Prosecutor Directive of 2019. These guidelines ensure that grand jury presentations are conducted impartially and transparently.

The investigation process included interviews with witnesses, examination of body camera footage, ballistics testing, and autopsy results. This evidence was presented to a state grand jury which ultimately voted "no bill," indicating no criminal charges should be filed against the officers involved.

On the night of December 5, police responded to a distress call about Mr. Rose who reportedly had a semi-automatic rifle and left his home in a white van. After learning that this van was involved in a nearby crash, officers located Mr. Rose armed in a wooded area on Elizabeth Avenue. Despite negotiations lasting approximately twenty minutes, Mr. Rose did not surrender his weapon and raised it at officers after emptying its magazine but refusing to clear a live round from the chamber. Officers Greenwood and Anderson then discharged their firearms, resulting in Mr. Rose's death.

A shell casing found at the scene matched Mr. Rose’s rifle through ballistic testing.

Body-worn camera footage and related 911 calls have been made publicly available online following this officer-involved shooting incident.

Under New Jersey law N.J.S.A. 52:17B-107(a)(2), deaths occurring during encounters with law enforcement must be investigated by the Attorney General’s Office and presented to a grand jury for potential indictment decisions based on available evidence including possible self-defense claims or other legal justifications.

OPIA reviewed potential conflicts before presenting findings to Executive Director Drew Skinner according to established SOPs for these cases.

Following such investigations under Independent Prosecutor Directive guidelines along with SOPs; OPIA assesses if any administrative reviews are warranted by referring cases back within respective agencies per AG Internal Affairs Policy & Procedures while ensuring timely completion alongside necessary actions stemming from those reviews.

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