Grand jury votes not to indict Paterson police detective for 2021 deadly shooting
Authorities say that Detective Mohammed Bashir shot and killed Thelonious McKnight on Dec. 29, 2021, during a police investigation.
A Paterson police detective will not face any charges for a deadly shooting that occurred nearly two years ago.
Authorities say Detective Mohammed Bashir shot and killed Thelonious McKnight on Dec. 29, 2021, during a police investigation.
The encounter began after an officer saw two people – one later identified as McKnight – with what appeared to be handguns on CCTV surveillance cameras. Later that evening, police apprehended the one man.
Shortly after, law enforcement approached McKnight on East Main Street, asking him to remove his hands from his pockets. Police say McKnight ignored multiple orders and fled into an alleyway.
Detective statements revealed McKnight then grabbed a firearm and pointed it at an officer at close range. Bashir saw McKnight pull the trigger-- and in turn, fired his service weapon, striking McKnight.
First responders provided aid on the scene, but he was pronounced dead just after 9 p.m.
A grand jury determined that Bashir should not face any charges related to the shooting.
