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Grand Jury Declines to Charge Jersey City Officer in Fatal Shooting
A state grand jury has declined to file criminal charges against a Jersey City police sergeant in connection with a fatal police shooting in September 2025, the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office announced.
The grand jury concluded its deliberations on September 28, 2026, and voted “no bill,” meaning it found that no criminal charges should be filed against Sgt. Ricardo Reyes. The man who died was identified as Steven Sanchez, 26, of Jersey City.
The shooting happened on September 5, 2025. Under a 2019 state directive, the Attorney General’s Office investigates deaths that occur during encounters with law enforcement and presents the findings to a grand jury, which is instructed on possible criminal charges as well as self-defense and other legal justifications.
According to the investigation, officers responded to the area of John F. Kennedy Boulevard and Clinton Avenue after hearing objects strike their police vehicles. Officers said they saw Sanchez pointing what appeared to be a gun at them and repeatedly ordered him to drop it. Investigators said Sanchez turned the weapon toward Reyes and fired, and that Reyes returned fire, striking him.
According to the investigation, Sanchez continued to fire and ran at Reyes, leading to a struggle in which he was disarmed. Officers rendered aid until emergency responders arrived. Sanchez was taken to Jersey City Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. Reyes suffered a non-life-threatening injury. No other officers or civilians were hurt.
Investigators said a compressed air pistol and numerous projectiles believed fired from it were recovered at the scene. The Attorney General’s Office said footage related to the incident was previously released online.
The investigation was conducted under a state law requiring the Attorney General’s Office to investigate law enforcement’s use of deadly force during civilian encounters.
