Grand Jury Issues Indictments Against Man Shot by New Brunswick Police

A grand jury issued an 11-county indictment on Wednesday against Victor Rodriguez, a 20-year-old New Brunswick man shot by police earlier this year, and deemed that no charges were to be filed against the officers involved.

According to a press release from the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office, the grand jury charged Rodriguez with 11 counts of terroristic threats, claiming he fired blanks from a replica 9mm Beretta handgun in an attempt to threaten 11 people on the street, including three police officers.

On Jan. 31, 2012, Rodriguez was shot by two New Brunswick police officers after he allegedly fired the gun in the direction of the officers and civilians on Seaman Street near the intersection of Remsen Avenue.

After Rodriguez fired the shots, the officers returned fire, injuring him.

Rodriguez's family has claimed that he is paralyzed from the waist down, and said in July that they intend to sue to the city.

Rodriguez and his cousin, Anthony Rodriguez, 22, were also charged with possession of an imitation firearm.

Anthony Rodriguez was also charged with hindering the apprehension or prosecution of Victor Rodriguez, and was charged with obstructing police by providing false information during their investigation, the release said.

The Grand Jury did not feel that charges against the two officers involved were warranted, the release said.

"Pursuant to use of force guidelines established by the state Office of the Attorney General, the grand jury considered and found no basis to file charges against two officers who shot and wounded Victor Rodriguez," the release said.