Crime & Safety
No Charges In 2024 Fatal Police Shooting Outside South Brunswick Motel: NJ AG
Shamar Leggette was wanted for armed robbery. He was killed in a shootout with police at a motel on Route 1 in Monmouth Junction.
SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — A state grand jury declined to file criminal charges in the January 2024, fatal police shooting of Shamar Leggette in South Brunswick, NJ Attorney General Matthew Platkin said. The decision came after deliberations concluded on Jan. 6.
The incident occurred on Jan. 24, 2024, when the U.S. Marshals New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force attempted to arrest Leggette, 41, of Brooklyn, at a Route 1 South motel in Monmouth Junction.
Leggette was wanted in New York and Rhode Island for armed robbery. A female suspect, wanted in Pennsylvania on drug charges, surrendered peacefully during the operation.
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Around 2:12 p.m., the woman left the motel room, surrendered peacefully, and was taken into custody, Platkin said..
After continuing to receive no response from Leggette, one Task Force officer deployed non-lethal oleoresin capsicum (OC) canisters through the motel room’s window around 2:44 p.m., in an attempt to get Leggette to exit, Platkin said. Shortly thereafter, Leggette contacted the motel front desk and said he was going to surrender.
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However, Leggette left the motel room with a firearm in each hand and exchanged gunfire with eight Task Force members, Platkin said. He was pronounced dead on scene.
Authorities recovered two firearms near Leggette. No officers were hit during the shootout.
The Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) conducted the investigation into shooting in accordance with the Independent Prosecutor Directive of 2019. The investigation included witness interviews, review of surveillance footage, analysis of crime scene photographs and examination of autopsy results.
The case was presented to the grand jury following standard operating procedures established in July 2021, ensuring a neutral and transparent process. After reviewing all evidence, the grand jury voted "no bill," determining criminal charges were not warranted against any Task Force members, Platkin said.
Surveillance footage of the incident remains available for public viewing online.
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