A state grand jury voted against criminal charges for a Vineland police officer in a shooting that killed a Millville man.
Police were called to Penn Lincoln Mobile Home Park at about 5 a.m. Dec. 18, 2021, for a construction backhoe being driven in an erratic manner and striking vehicles.
Joshua Gonzalez, 20, was seen striking residences and other vehicles with the backhoe. Police tried to stop him for about 30 minutes.
Sgt. Louis Platania saw Gonzalez strike and damage an occupied residence and then push a police vehicle into another occupied residence, according to the investigation.
Platania approached the backhoe on foot and fired his service weapon, fatally wounding Gonzalez.
Medical aid was rendered by officers and emergency medical personnel. Gonzalez was pronounced dead on the scene at 5:48 a.m.
In July 2021, OPIA issued standard operating procedures to ensure these grand jury presentations are conducted in a neutral, objective manner, with appropriate transparency regarding the process, consistent with the directive.
The investigation included interviews of witnesses, collection of forensic evidence, and a review of body-worn camera footage, video surveillance and autopsy results from the medical examiner.
This evidence, including interviews of the involved officers, was presented to the grand jury. After hearing the testimony and evidence and receiving instructions on the law, the grand jury concluded its deliberations last Tuesday, declining to charge Platania.
Recordings of the incident were previously released and posted online: Click here for the recordings.
