By: Richard L. Smith
A New Jersey state grand jury has decided not to file criminal charges against a Haddon Township police officer following its review of a fatal police encounter that occurred in Camden County in late 2024.
According to information released by the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General, the grand jury returned a “no bill” after completing its deliberations on July 27, 2026, determining that no criminal charges were warranted against Officer Luke Falkenberg in connection with the death of 46-year-old Keith Edelin of Pennsauken.
The case was investigated by the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA), as required under New Jersey’s Independent Prosecutor Directive of 2019. State law mandates that the Attorney General’s Office investigate deaths that occur during encounters with law enforcement, with the findings presented to a state grand jury for review.
Investigators examined extensive evidence, including 9-1-1 recordings, police radio communications, body-worn camera footage, witness interviews, statements from responding officers, ballistics evidence, and the medical examiner’s autopsy findings before presenting the case to the grand jury.
Authorities said the incident began at approximately 1:07 a.m. on November 3, 2024, when Haddon Township police responded to reports of an attempted burglary in progress at an apartment complex on West Crystal Lake Avenue in the Westmont section of the township.
Upon arriving at the building, officers reportedly discovered blood in the lobby, inside an elevator, and along a hallway before locating Edelin in a stairwell on the upper landing. Investigators said Edelin was armed with a knife and repeatedly refused officers’ commands to drop the weapon.
According to the Attorney General’s Office, officers spent approximately two minutes attempting to de-escalate the situation and advised Edelin they were there to help him.
Authorities said Edelin then moved down the stairwell toward the officers while still holding the knife. Officer Falkenberg fired his service weapon, striking Edelin.
Officers immediately began providing medical aid until emergency medical personnel arrived.
Edelin was transported to Cooper University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead about an hour later. A knife was recovered at the scene, and no officers were injured during the encounter.
Following its review of the investigation and evidence, the state grand jury concluded there was insufficient basis to bring criminal charges against the officer. 
Under New Jersey law, a grand jury’s “no bill” means the evidence presented did not support criminal prosecution.
The Attorney General’s Office released the findings in accordance with the state’s policy of providing public transparency in investigations involving deaths during police encounters.