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The Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office investigated the "use of force" in a non-fatal shooting involving a Trenton police sergeant, authorities said on Monday.
Their conclusion means the Aug. 21, 2017, incident will not be presented to a grand jury, the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office said in a press statement.
Here is a summary of the county investigation findings: About 10 p.m. on Aug. 21, 2017, the Trenton police officer took a meal break, in uniform but traveling home in his own, unmarked car. The sergeant said he heard shots fired as he approached the Donnelly Homes Public Housing Project.
The sergeant told investigators that he saw two men run out of the housing project wearing masks. One suspect in a red hooded sweatshirt turned and fired two shots back into the housing project. As they fled near the police officer's car, the suspect wearing the black hooded sweatshirt turned, faced the sergeant, and pointed a handgun in his direction. After they left the area in a dark-colored sedan, the sergeant followed them through Trenton
When the suspect's car parked, three men exited the sedan. Two of the men fired at the sergeant, who was still in his personal vehicle, police said. The sergeant returned fire using his vehicle’s door as cover. The suspects fired additional rounds at the sergeant, then fled on foot.
The sergeant was not injured.
Two suspects were found by other Trenton police officers. One was arrested on active warrants.
The two suspects pleaded guilty on Feb. 6, 2019, to shooting and injuring another man; who police did not identify. They are awaiting sentencing, the prosecutor said.
The sergeant told county investigators he believed shooting his weapon was necessary to protect himself. The county probe concluded that "the sergeant’s beliefs were reasonable, and the use of force in this matter was justified,'' the county prosecutor said.
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