By: Richard L. Smith
A New Jersey state grand jury has declined to bring criminal charges against a Jersey City police officer in connection with the fatal shooting of 27-year-old Teshawn Rogers during an encounter with police last year.
The decision followed an investigation by the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office of Public Integrity and Accountability into the October 21, 2025, shooting.
According to information released by the Attorney General’s Office, investigators reviewed body-worn camera and surveillance video, witness accounts, medical records and findings from the medical examiner before presenting the case to a state grand jury.
After reviewing the evidence, jurors completed their deliberations on August 10, 2026, and returned a “no bill,” determining that criminal charges should not be filed against any of the officers involved.
Authorities said the encounter began shortly after 1 a.m. near Bergen and Virginia avenues in Jersey City, where members of the Jersey City Police Department’s Street Crimes Unit were operating in plain clothes and using unmarked vehicles.
Investigators said Rogers was walking north on Bergen Avenue when two officers in an unmarked vehicle pulled alongside the roadway ahead of him.
According to the Attorney General’s Office, Rogers immediately fired a gun and began running south on Bergen Avenue.
Officials said the officers inside that first vehicle did not fire their weapons.
As Rogers ran, another unmarked police vehicle carrying additional Street Crimes Unit officers pulled to the side of the road.
Authorities said Officer Lance Jackson exited the passenger side of that vehicle and fired his service weapon, striking Rogers.
Police and emergency personnel provided medical assistance at the scene before Rogers was rushed to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead at approximately 1:44 a.m.
Investigators said a firearm was recovered from the scene.
Under New Jersey law, the Attorney General’s Office is required to investigate deaths that occur during encounters with law enforcement and present the findings to a grand jury for consideration.
Video footage and police radio transmissions connected to the investigation were previously released publicly by the Attorney General’s Office.