South Jersey Cop Who Killed Rifle-Wielding Man Won't Be Charged

DEPTFORD, NJ — The Deptford officer who killed a rifle-wielding man will not be charged, authorities said Monday.

Officer Luke Ivey fatally shot Daniel Nevius after the man pointed his firearm at police in Jan. 22, 2023, according to the state Office of the Attorney General (OAG). A state grand jury reviewing the case voted March 4 that Ivey should not be charged in Nevius's death.

Deptford police were responding to a 911 call in which the caller said that Nevius was pointing a gun at civilians. Officers approached the scene — a home on Fox Run Road — when Nevius, 55, pointed his gun toward police, the OAG said.

Ivey fired his service weapon once, striking Nevius. Emergency personnel responded to render aid for the Sicklerville resident, who was pronounced dead a half-hour after the shooting, authorities said.

Nevius's rifle was recovered at the scene.

The investigation into the incident included witness interviews, photographs, review of body-worn and other camera footage, and autopsy results from the medical examiner.

A 2019 New Jersey law requires the OAG to conduct investigations into deaths that occur during encounters with law enforcement or while in custody. The office must present each investigation to a grand jury, which determines if the evidence supports the return of an indictment.