A state grand jury has decided against filing charges in the case of Andrew Washington, a 52-year-old Jersey City resident fatally shot by Jersey City Police Officer Stephen Gigante in August 2023. The decision follows an investigation by the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) which presented evidence to a grand jury, as outlined by the Independent Prosecutor Directive of 2019.
The comprehensive investigation reviewed various forms of evidence, including a 911 call, body-worn camera footage, and autopsy results, leading to the grand jury's conclusion on April 28, 2025, that no charges would be filed against Officer Gigante. This decision was influenced by events on August 27, 2023, when police responded to a call concerning Washington, reportedly disturbed and not taking his medication. The situation escalated when Washington, armed with a knife, advanced on the officers, prompting both a Taser deployment and firearm discharge by DeJesus and Gigante, respectively, resulting in Washington's death.
New Jersey mandates an automatic grand jury review for deaths involving law enforcement interactions, guided by statutory requirements on potential charges and legal defenses. No conflicts of interest emerged during the investigation, according to OPIA's scrutiny.
The incident has spurred legislative and procedural changes in New Jersey related to law enforcement's handling of mental health crises. In January 2024, legislative action named after Washington and another individual led to the creation of the Community Crisis Response Pilot Program, supported by $12 million funding, aimed at enhancing intervention services across several cities including Jersey City.
These developments integrate into the broader state efforts to reform law enforcement responses to mental health and substance use crises, as highlighted by revisions to New Jersey's Use of Force Policy in August 2024. These changes emphasize involving experts in crisis situations and considering less forceful resolutions when feasible.
Furthering this initiative, Jersey City joined the ARRIVE Together program, fashioning a partnership with the Jersey City Medical Center to enhance mental health emergency responses, reflecting an integration of law enforcement and healthcare expertise in dealing with such cases.
