NJ Officer Indicted In 2021 Shooting Of Homeowner Who Called 911

MANTUA, NJ - A state grand jury handed down an indictment Tuesday against a South Jersey police officer who fatally shot a man after he reported intruders near his home.

Salvatore Oldrati, who was employed as a Mantua Township police officer at the time, was charged with one count of manslaughter in connection with the Sept. 14, 2021 incident, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said in a statement.

The shooting victim, Mantua homeowner Charles Sharp III, 49, was fatally wounded by the officer, Platkin said.

“Mr. Sharp was shot multiple times outside his own home by one of the very officers he had called upon for help,” Platkin said. “His life was cut short seconds after Officer Oldrati arrived at the scene, while Mr. Sharp was still on the phone with a police dispatcher. When residents call 9-1-1 for service, they are concerned, they need assistance, they seek protection — and they trust the officers responding to their calls will respond accordingly and help them. Tragically, that did not happen here.”

Oldrati could face up to 10 years in New Jersey State Prison if convicted, Platkin said. Oldrati would also have to serve 85 percent of the overall sentence before he would be eligible for parole.

The 2021 incident stemmed from a 911 call to Mantua police made by Sharp at around 1:38 a.m. reporting two alleged burglars in his rear yard, one of whom was reportedly armed with a handgun; two uniformed officers, including Oldrati, subsequently responded to the Elm Avenue home.

While Oldrati was exiting his patrol car, another officer yelled, “he’s got a handgun on him, right there,” officials said. Oldrati fired his gun repeatedly and struck Sharp multiple times.

Officers and emergency medical personnel rendered aid to Sharp, who was later pronounced dead at the hospital. A replica .45-caliber firearm was found near Sharp.

The state Attorney General’s Office of Public Integrity and Accountability opens an investigation anytime a fatal police-involved shooting is reported. The investigation into Oldrati included interviews of witnesses, collection of forensic evidence, review of video footage, and autopsy results from the medical examiner, officials said.

The grand jury concluded its deliberations on Monday after hearing testimony and evidence from the investigation and voted “true bill,” meaning that a criminal charge against the officer was determined.

“Less than five seconds elapsed between when Officer Oldrati stepped out of his police vehicle and when he began firing at Mr. Sharp.” said Thomas J. Eicher, Executive Director of the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability. “Officer Oldrati gave no verbal commands or warnings before shooting Mr. Sharp. The grand jury determined that his conduct was not justified and warranted the return of an indictment for manslaughter.”