Grand jury declines to charge New Jersey State Police detective in West Berlin shooting

A New Jersey State Police detective involved in a deadly shooting in West Berlin nearly a year ago will not be facing charges. A grand jury voted not to file criminal charges against the unidentified officer. The New Jersey Attorney General's office says on July 29, 2025, 37-year-old Shawn Phillips of West Berlin was shot and killed after an encounter with State Police Detectives. Officials say Phillips was being observed as part of an investigation when a State Police Detective spotted him on a front porch of a home and ordered him not to move. It's alleged Phillips pulled out a gun and that's when one of the detectives fatally shot Phillips three times. Law enforcement recovered a loaded revolver at the scene. (Photo: Getty Images)