No Charges For Officers In Fatal NJ Pharmacy Shooting

KEANSBURG, NJ - A state grand jury has voted not to file criminal charges against Keansburg police officers following the shooting death of a suspect during a hostage negotiation at a local pharmacy in January, state officials said.

When officers arrived at Keansburg Pharmacy (199 Main Street) around 3:21 p.m., James Sutton, 55, of Keansburg, was holding a large knife and threatening to harm an employee of the pharmacy, authorities said at the time.

One officer was stabbed by the Keansburg resident, prompting multiple officers to fire their weapons at Sutton. He was later pronounced dead at the scene. Read more: Officer Stabbed, Suspect Killed In Keansburg Pharmacy Incident

Prior to the officers discharging their weapons, the male officer who was stabbed and Officer Jillian Putkowski fired tasers at Sutton, authorities said at the time.

"It is not a life-threatening injury," Keansburg Mayor Andrew Hoff said in January of the officer who was stabbed. "But he was stabbed in his wrist, and his left elbow was shattered. He needed an eight- to nine-hour surgery on Saturday and just went in for his second surgery Monday morning. We are all thinking of him."

Related: 911 Calls, Videos Released In Fatal NJ Pharmacy Police Shooting

Following an investigation into the fatal police encounter (including witness interviews, forensic evidence collection, video footage review and autopsy results), the grand jury voted against filing charges on Monday.

"After considering the evidence, testimony from the [Office of Public Integrity & Accountability] investigation, and instructions on the legal standards, including whether the officer’s actions were legally justified, the state grand jury determined that no criminal charges should be brought against the officers,” the state Attorney General’s office said in a statement Thursday.

“An officer may use deadly force in New Jersey when the officer reasonably believes it is immediately necessary to protect the officer or another person from imminent danger of death or serious bodily harm," the office added.