TRENTON, NJ – Today, a grand jury in Mercer County, New Jersey, has concluded that a detective’s use of force in non-fatal police shooting on February 12, 2022, was legally justified. The Trenton Police Department detective, Michael Gettler, discharged four shots at a driver, Jajuan Henderson, after Henderson accelerated forward at a high rate of speed and struck a parked car in front of him and a police car parked on his front driver’s side.
Henderson then immediately reversed at a high rate of speed, toward Gettler’s colleague, Det. John Carrigg, and struck a car parked behind him. The grand jury found Gettler’s actions were justified in accordance with New Jersey state law concerning the use of force in self-protection or for the protection of other persons.
The officer stated that he believed discharging his weapon was necessary for the protection of his life and the lives of his colleagues.
The grand jury’s decision comes after an investigation into the incident was conducted in accordance with the Attorney General’s Independent Prosecutor Directive, which ensures the independent investigation of criminal cases involving police use-of-force or in-custody deaths.
The investigation included body-worn camera recordings, photographs of the scene, ballistics, and statements from the officers involved. This statement was released to the public in accordance with the directive. The Trenton Police Department and the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office had a conflict, so the Union County Prosecutor’s Office Shooting Response Team investigated the incident.