Trenton, NJ – A state grand jury concluded its deliberations with a decision not to file criminal charges against Paterson Police Officers Anzore Tsay and Jose Hernandez following the police-involved shooting of Najee Seabrooks on March 3, 2023. This decision came after a thorough investigation by the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) which presented extensive evidence, including video footage, ballistics reports, and witness testimony.
The investigation revealed that officers responded to a distress call early on March 3, 2023, and encountered Seabrooks behaving erratically in a Paterson apartment. Despite efforts from negotiators and the Emergency Response Team, the situation escalated when Seabrooks, armed with knives, set a fire and threw objects at officers. Officers Tsay and Hernandez discharged their weapons after Seabrooks exited a bathroom with at least one knife, leading to his death.
In response to incidents like this, Attorney General Platkin took steps to transform the Paterson Police Department in 2023 by appointing new leadership and introducing department reforms. These initiatives aimed to rebuild trust and improve community policing, supported by various