State grand jury declines to charge New Brunswick officer in 2025 fatal police shooting
Attorney General's Office says jurors returned a "no bill" after reviewing evidence in the death of 68-year-old Deborah Terrell.
More Stories
A state grand jury has declined to file criminal charges against a New Brunswick police officer in the fatal shooting of a woman during a confrontation at her apartment last year, New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport's office announced Tuesday.
The grand jury voted "no bill" after reviewing an investigation into the Aug. 8, 2025, shooting death of Deborah Terrell, 68, of New Brunswick. The decision means no criminal charges will be filed against Officer Josue Plaza of the New Brunswick Police Department.
RELATED: KIYC: Use of deadly force mired by missing records, grand jury secrecy
RELATED: KIYC investigation finds gaps in program meant to reduce police use of force on the mentally ill
According to the Attorney General's Office, officers were first called to Terrell's Neilson Street apartment around 4 a.m. after a report that she was disturbing other residents. Authorities said she refused to speak with officers or open the door.
Police returned after a 911 call around 7:30 a.m. reporting Terrell was threatening other tenants with a knife. Officers said they confirmed with residents that she had been seen carrying a large knife and requested emergency medical personnel to respond to the scene.
Investigators said Terrell opened her apartment door several times while holding a knife. Officers repeatedly ordered her to drop the weapon, but she instead closed the door, moved the knife blade underneath it and at one point pointed the knife at officers before retreating back inside.
RELATED: State AG releases recordings of fatal New Brunswick police shooting
RELATED: Community outrage follows police killing of New Brunswick woman
Authorities said Terrell later stepped into the hallway holding the knife while saying, "C'mon." Officers deployed pepper spray and a Taser, but investigators said Terrell then advanced toward officers with the knife. Plaza fired twice, striking her.
Officers provided medical aid before Terrell was taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. A 12-inch knife was recovered at the scene, according to investigators.
RELATED: Woman suffering from mental health episode fatally shot by New Brunswick police
The investigation by the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability included 911 calls, police radio transmissions, body camera footage, witness statements, forensic evidence, medical records and the autopsy report.
