Two Paterson, N.J., police officers will not face any charges for the 2023 fatal shooting of Najee Seabrooks, authorities announced Tuesday.
A grand jury declined any charges against the two cops, Anzore Tsay and Jose Hernandez, according to New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin.
The killing of Seabrooks sparked protests in Paterson and led to a takeover of the Paterson Police Department by the attorney general’s office, which is still in effect.
Seabrooks, 31, called 911 on himself on March 3, 2023, from his brother’s apartment, according to authorities. He told officers he thought someone was trying to kill him, and family members said he was acting out of character.
Seabrooks worked with a nonviolent intervention group, Paterson Health Collective, and his co-workers told responding officers they wanted to take charge of the scene.
However, Paterson police remained in command and negotiated with Seabrooks for five hours as he barricaded himself in a bathroom. Seabrooks had three knives in the room with him, and he was carrying one when he finally exited the room and moved toward police, according to bodycam video.
Tsay and Hernandez responded by fatally shooting Seabrooks, but the grand jury determined there was not enough evidence to charge them with a crime.