Grand jury declines charges in fatal south brunswick officer-involved shooting

TRENTON, NJ — A state grand jury has decided not to bring criminal charges against members of the U.S. Marshals Service New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force in the fatal shooting of Shamar Leggette, 41, of Brooklyn, New York, the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General announced.

The shooting occurred on January 24, 2024, during an attempted arrest at a motel on Route 1 South in South Brunswick. Task Force officers were executing an arrest warrant for Leggette, wanted in New York and Rhode Island for armed robbery, and a female suspect wanted in Pennsylvania on drug distribution charges.

According to the investigation, the female suspect surrendered peacefully, but Leggette remained inside the motel room. After deploying non-lethal oleoresin capsicum (OC) canisters, Leggette exited the room at approximately 2:47 p.m. with two firearms and exchanged gunfire with eight officers. He was pronounced dead at the scene, and two firearms were recovered near his body.

The Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) conducted the investigation, reviewing witness testimony, surveillance footage, and autopsy findings. The grand jury concluded deliberations on January 6, 2025, voting not to file charges against any officers involved.

No officers were injured during the exchange of gunfire.

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