The Attorney General’s Office has released the identity of the individual who died in a police-involved shooting on July 29, 2025, in West Berlin, New Jersey. The deceased has been identified as Shawn Phillips, age 37, of West Berlin.
According to initial findings, two detectives from the New Jersey State Police assigned to the United States Marshals Service NY/NJ Regional Fugitive Task Force were investigating Mr. Phillips when they saw him leaving a residence on Haddon Avenue near Bate Avenue. During the subsequent encounter, one detective discharged his service weapon and struck Mr. Phillips. Authorities reported that a revolver was recovered at the scene following the shooting.
After being shot, Mr. Phillips received first aid before being transported to Cooper University Hospital in Camden, where he was pronounced dead at 2:13 p.m.
The investigation into this incident is ongoing and no additional information is available at this time.
Under state law N.J.S.A. 52:17B-107(a)(2), the Attorney General’s Office is required to investigate any death occurring during an encounter with law enforcement officers acting in their official capacity or while a person is in custody. The law also mandates that these investigations be presented to a grand jury to determine whether there is sufficient evidence for an indictment against involved officers.
Further details about procedures for investigating fatal police encounters under New Jersey's Independent Prosecutor Directive are available online.
