Jury Rules On Detective Involved In Deadly NJ Shooting

WEST BERLIN, NJ — A New Jersey State Police detective won't be criminally charged after a deadly shooting along Haddon Avenue in 2025, the Office of the Attorney General said.

Shawn Phillips, 37, of West Berlin, was shot in front of a home after Phillips pulled out a gun when he was told not to move by the detective.

A state grand jury declined to file charges after reviewing police radio records, body-worn camera and surveillance videos, statements from witnesses and law enforcement, a ballistics report, and autopsy results.

On July 29, 2025, two detectives with the United States Marshals Service NY/NJ Regional Task Force noticed Phillips standing on the front steps of a home along Haddon Avenue near Bate Avenue.

According to NBC, there were nearly 10 cases between Camden and Burlington Counties at the time against Phillips.

The most recent being an assault case from two weeks prior to the shooting.

When one of the detectives approached Phillips from around the corner of the home, he ordered him to stay still.

Phillips then grabbed a gun from his right front pocket and the detective used his service weapon to fire at him multiple times.

Phillips was shot, given medical aid, and then taken by EMS to Cooper University Hospital in Camden.

He was declared dead at 2:13 p.m.

The video, which his family was given the opportunity to view prior to public release, can be viewed here. (WARNING: Videos include graphic footage and language that may be disturbing to some viewers.)

A revolver loaded with five live rounds was also recovered at the scene of the shooting.

The case surrounding his death was handled by the Attorney General's Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) before being presented to a jury of state residents.

State law requires the Office of the Attorney General to handle deaths that result from an encounter with law enforcement.

A conflicts check was also carried out to ensure no discrepancies in the review of the case, officials said.

The OPIA will now determine if any of the officers should be referred to law enforcement agencies for administrative review.

MORE FROM PATCH: Video Of Deadly NJ Officer-Involved Shooting Released

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