GRAND JURY CONCLUDES USE OF FORCE JUSTIFIED IN NON-FATAL POLICE SHOOTING IN WOODBRIDGE

Authorities in Middlesex County announced that after a thorough investigation and grand jury deliberations, no criminal charges will be filed against two Woodbridge police officers involved in a non-fatal shooting of Juan Martinez, aged 40, of Newark, on June 27, 2023.

The investigation included various pieces of evidence such as witness interviews, surveillance footage, and ballistics evidence. 

The officers responded to a report of a vehicle impact at a closed car dealership, where they encountered Martinez inside a Dodge Ram. Martinez refused to comply with orders and later entered a black SUV, which accelerated toward the officers. The officers fired their weapons, striking Martinez three times as he entered the SUV. Martinez sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was later charged with burglary.

The driver of the SUV, Alex Martinez, faces charges as well. The grand jury determined that the officers were legally justified in their use of deadly force, and no conflict of interest was found in the investigation.