Grand jury declines to file charges against Jersey City officer involved in fatal 2023 shooting
Officials say Officer Stephen Gigante fatally shot Andrew Washington during a mental health crisis call in August 2023.
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A state grand jury voted not to file any criminal charges against the Jersey City police officer responsible for the fatal shooting of a 52-year-old man during a mental health emergency nearly two years ago.
According to the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General, after hearing the testimony and evidence, the grand jury voted that no criminal charges should be filed against Officer Stephen Gigante.
Gigante fatally shot Andrew Washington inside Washington’s apartment located on the 200 block of Randolph Avenue in Jersey City. The incident happened on Aug. 27, 2023, around 3:30 p.m. At the scene, the family told News 12 that Washington suffered from bipolar disorder.
Washington's family told authorities that a neighbor called the police after hearing loud noises and banging coming from Washington’s apartment unit around 2:30 p.m. They explained Washington’s mental struggles to arriving officers, saying they believed he was off his medication and needed medical attention.
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According to reports, Emergency Services Unit officers went to Washington's unit on the second floor of the building, attempting to speak with him through a locked door. They say Washington refused to come out and yelled, referring to seeing ghosts and a "suicide mission.” They say Washington then began striking the door repeatedly with an unknown object.
Police say for about half an hour, a trained negotiator tried persuading Washington to come out and get help before officers forcibly entered. They say Washington, who was standing a few feet from the doorway, was armed with a 13-inch knife and advanced toward officers. One officer deployed a Taser and another fired his service weapon at Washington twice.
Washington was then transported to Jersey City Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, just before 5 p.m.
The investigation included a 911 call, body-worn camera footage, witness interviews, photographs, ballistics reports and autopsy results from the medical examiner. This evidence, including video of the incident, was presented to a state grand jury.
Officer Felix DeJesus, who deployed his Taser, had responded to Washington’s residence two weeks prior for a separate mental health incident and helped him get to a hospital.
Reports show that family members also contacted the Mental Health Crisis Hotline before police arrived that day.
