By: Richard L. Smith
A New Jersey state grand jury has declined to bring criminal charges against a Newark police officer who shot and seriously injured a man during an encounter involving a stolen luxury SUV in August 2024.
According to a statement released by the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, the grand jury concluded its review on October 19, 2026, voting not to indict Newark Police Officer Alexander Ferreira in connection with the August 12, 2024, shooting.
State investigators said the incident began around 8:34 p.m. when officers spotted a Porsche Macan parked along Clinton Place near Hawthorne Avenue in Newark.
After discovering the vehicle had been reported stolen, officers approached and detained a man sitting in the passenger seat.
While officers were securing the handcuffed passenger near their patrol vehicle, another individual reportedly exited a nearby convenience store, entered the Porsche and moved into the driver’s seat.
Police attempted to remove the driver, leading to a struggle as the vehicle began reversing.
According to investigators, Officer Ferreira repeatedly warned his partner to move away from the vehicle. As the second officer disengaged, the Porsche accelerated forward, prompting Ferreira to fire two shots, striking the driver.
The wounded driver continued forward, striking a police vehicle before crossing an intersection, crashing into a brick building and hitting two parked vehicles.
Officers provided emergency medical assistance before the injured man was transported to University Hospital with life-threatening injuries.
The Attorney General’s Office said investigators reviewed police body-camera recordings, surveillance footage, radio communications, medical records and witness statements before presenting the findings to the grand jury.
Following its review, the panel returned a “no bill,” determining that criminal charges would not be filed against Ferreira.
The investigation was conducted under New Jersey’s Independent Prosecutor Directive, which governs investigations into police use of deadly force.
Authorities previously released body-camera footage documenting the encounter.
Police Body-Camera Footage: View Video Released by the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office