TRENTON, NJ — A state grand jury has concluded its investigation into the fatal shooting of 29-year-old Everett Rand of Newark, deciding not to file criminal charges against Newark Police Department officers involved in the incident on May 3, 2023. Officers Steven Ferreira and Ryan Castro were cleared of any wrongdoing in the shooting that occurred following a 911 call reporting a shooting at a residence on Johnson Avenue.
The Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) led the investigation under the guidelines of the 2019 Independent Prosecutor Directive, ensuring a neutral and transparent review process. The grand jury, composed of New Jersey residents, reviewed evidence including witness statements, video footage, ballistics, and autopsy results. Their deliberation ended on July 8, 2024, with a “no bill” decision, indicating insufficient grounds for criminal charges.
The incident began when police responded to the reported shooting. Officers observed Mr. Rand exiting the residence and disposing of an object in a dumpster, which was later identified as a semi-automatic handgun. A foot chase ensued during which Officer Ferreira reported seeing Rand reach for what appeared to be a handgun. Both Ferreira and Castro discharged their weapons during the confrontation. Rand was found with a handgun after he was shot.
Despite immediate medical assistance provided by the officers, Rand was pronounced dead at University Hospital in Newark. Further complicating the case, police discovered a deceased 27-year-old man and an 8-year-old boy, also shot, inside the residence. The boy later succumbed to his injuries at the same hospital.
The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office investigated the initial shootings at the residence, revealing another individual suffered non-fatal injuries. The investigations have brought to light the complexities of the events that unfolded that tragic day in Newark, with the grand jury’s decision marking a significant conclusion to the legal examination of the police officers’ actions.