Viral Mall Video Investigation Ends Without Charges For Bridgewater Cops

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Almost one year after the viral Bridgewater Commons teen mall fight, an investigation into the Bridgewater Police's handling of it has been completed and the two officers involved will not be charged.

Matthew Reilly with the New Jersey Department of Justice's Office told Patch no charges in the District of New Jersey were filed against either Bridgewater Officers Adam Giurlando and Brittany MacDonald.

When asked for an update on the findings from the investigation, Somerset County Prosecutor's Office Deputy Chief Frank Roman said, "the matter was referred back to Bridgewater Township and all media inquiries should be addressed to them directly for any status update and comment."

Patch reached out to Bridgewater Township and Police Chief John Mitzak for comment and to see if any disciplinary actions were taken against Giurlando or MacDonald.

"Per legal counsel, Bridgewater Township, at this time, cannot comment on any personnel matters in order to protect the privacy rights of the affected employees," said Bridgewater's Deputy Township Administrator.

The investigation was completed sometime between February 2023 and August 2022 when the Attorney General's Office last confirmed to Patch it was "still ongoing."

The two officers involved in the incident had been previously set on desk duty. Former Bridgewater Police Chief Paul Payne had said in March 2022 that the officers were "currently not on the road."

It is unclear if the officers are still on desk duty.

The probe was sparked after a video began circulating of a fight between a light-skinned teen and a Black teen at the Bridgewater Commons mall on Feb. 12, 2022. The video shows township police officers kneeling on and handcuffing the Black teen while the light-skinned teen is sitting on a couch raising questions of racial disparity. Read More: Cops Criticized After Stopping Teen Fight At Bridgewater Mall

On Feb. 14, 2022, former Police Chief Paul Payne said he requested that the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office assist Bridgewater in an internal affairs investigation that is strictly adhering to the New Jersey Attorney General's Internal Affairs Directive.

Murphy also previously said he was "deeply disturbed" by the video and the New Jersey chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, a civil rights organization, had called for the Bridgewater officers involved to be immediately removed from the police force pending an investigation.

Several marches by activists were also held calling for justice for Z'Kye Husain.

Nationally known civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who has handled cases involving George Floyd, Trayvon Martin, and Breonna Taylor, was also retained by the family of the Black 8th grader handcuffed by Bridgewater Township Police following a mall fight. Read More: George Floyd Family Attorney Hired By Black Teen In NJ Mall Fight

Crump and Husain's family held a press conference at the township on March 2, 2022. Crump said his group is contemplating filing a federal civil rights lawsuit based on "his fourth amendment rights being infringed upon based on unreasonable search and seizure. And obviously equal protection." Read More: Black Activists Halt Rally For Teen Cuffed At Bridgewater Mall

Patch reached out to Crump's office for comment on the update and to see if he was still representing the family but did not receive a response.

On March 3, 2022, Bridgewater held a Community Conversation with community officials and leaders to hear from the public about the incident. Read More: Bridgewater To Turn Viral Mall Video Into Racial Justice Lesson

On April 4, 2022, Bridgewater hired former Somerset County Prosecutor Michael Robertson to help the township deal with the outcome of an investigation. Read More: Bridgewater Hires Former Prosecutor To Help With Police Mall Incident

The council unanimously voted to award a contract to Robertson during the April 4 meeting for a period of one year with a cost likely exceeding $17,500 and no more than $25,000.

Correction: An earlier version of this story misidentified Matthew Reilly's title and affiliation.

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