State Grand Jury Declines to Criminally Charge Officers in Connection with June 13, 2024 Fatal Police-Involved Shooting in Woodbridge

TRENTON — A state grand jury has voted not to file criminal charges at the conclusion of its deliberations regarding the death of Karl Gregory, 46, of New York, New York, who was fatally shot at the Royal Albert’s Palace Hotel in Woodbridge, New Jersey, during an encounter with members of the Woodbridge and New York City police departments on June 13, 2024.

Mr. Gregory’s death was investigated by the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) and presented to New Jersey residents serving on the grand jury in accordance with the Independent Prosecutor Directive of 2019. In July 2021, OPIA issued standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure these grand jury presentations are conducted in a neutral, objective manner.

The investigation included video footage from hotel surveillance and body-worn cameras, civilian and law enforcement interviews, photos, ballistics reports, and autopsy results from the medical examiner. This evidence, including video of the incident, was presented to a state grand jury. After hearing the testimony and evidence, the grand jury concluded its deliberations on August 29, 2025, and voted “no bill,” concluding no criminal charges should be filed against the involved officers.

According to the investigation, on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, officers from the Edison Police Department received information from an automated license plate reader that Karl Gregory’s vehicle, which was sought in connection with a shooting that occurred in New York City and left the victim with life-threatening injuries, was in the area.

At approximately 8:20 p.m. on June 12, 2024, officers from the Edison and Woodbridge police departments responded to the Royal Albert’s Palace Hotel on King Georges Post Road in Woodbridge, where they located the unoccupied vehicle in the hotel parking lot. Authorities notified the New York City Police Department (NYPD).

On Thursday, June 13, 2024, detectives with the NYPD responded and briefed Woodbridge police personnel on the New York criminal investigation. At approximately 12:19 a.m., law enforcement at the hotel were conducting an investigation, including interviewing a civilian, when they were alerted that Mr. Gregory was captured on surveillance walking down the hallway toward the elevator. Upon receiving this information, officers tactically positioned themselves to surround the lobby elevators.

At approximately 12:21 a.m., the hotel’s elevator doors opened, and Mr. Gregory exited toward the lobby holding multiple bags. Upon seeing officers in the lobby, Mr. Gregory dropped his bags and reached into a black backpack. Officers yelled, “Show your hands!” and “Drop the bag!” and Mr. Gregory produced a handgun. Gunfire was then exchanged for approximately 20 seconds between Mr. Gregory and Woodbridge Officers Drew Krupinski and Justin Nerney and NYPD Detective Matthew Mauro.

During the gunfire exchange, Mr. Gregory was struck. Woodbridge PD officers rendered medical aid to Mr. Gregory until the arrival of EMS personnel. Mr. Gregory was pronounced deceased at the scene at 12:42 a.m. A handgun located near Mr. Gregory was recovered, and ballistically matched to spent shell casings at the scene. Authorities later recovered additional rounds of ammunition in Mr. Gregory’s backpack and vehicle.

Woodbridge Officer Nerney and NYPD Detective Mauro were also struck by gunfire during the exchange. Both were hospitalized in connection with their injuries and have since been released.

Footage from police body-worn cameras was previously released and is available here: https://njoag.box.com/s/nf6ow1rcayu6e72ntbezamj8f85z5lsb

A 2019 law, N.J.S.A. 52:17B-107(a)(2), requires the Attorney General’s Office to conduct investigations of a person’s death that occurs during an encounter with a law enforcement officer acting in the officer’s official capacity or while the decedent is in custody. It requires that all such investigations be presented to a grand jury to determine if the evidence supports the return of an indictment against the officer or officers involved. The grand jury is instructed on the elements of the potential criminal offenses, including criminal homicide offenses, that could be brought and, as required by statutes, the grand jury is instructed on self-defense and other forms of legal justification.

A conflicts check was conducted pursuant to the Independent Prosecutor Directive and no actual or potential conflict of interest was found involving any individual assigned to the investigation. Prior to presentation to the grand jury, the investigation was reviewed by OPIA Executive Director Drew Skinner in accordance with the policies and procedures established for these presentations in the SOPs.

At the conclusion of these investigations, pursuant to the Independent Prosecutor Directive and SOPs, OPIA determines whether any officer should be referred to the appropriate law enforcement agency for administrative review in accordance with the AG’s Internal Affairs Policy & Procedures. OPIA monitors any resulting review and takes such actions as are necessary to ensure that the review is completed in a timely fashion, and that appropriate actions are taken based on the results of the review.

The Independent Prosecutor Directive is posted on the Attorney General’s website at this link:

https://www.nj.gov/oag/dcj/agguide/directives/ag-Directive-2019-4.pdf

More News from Raritan

• Culture Weekend - New Jersey Taiwan Fair on Saturday at Bridgewater Commons Mall Enjoy and Explore Taiwanese Culture over the Weekend
• Somerville Branch Reopening with Services Consolidated to One Floor Following a discussion with the Borough of Somerville, SCLSNJ is updating how library space will be allocated,.