Woodbridge Police, NYPD Detective Who Killed Man In Shootout Will Not Be Charged

WOODBRIDGE, NJ — No criminal charges will be filed against any police officers for the death of Karl Gregory, 46, who was fatally shot at Royal Albert’s Palace Hotel in Woodbridge last June by Woodbridge and New York City police departments.

This was announced Friday by New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin.

A grand jury concluded its deliberations Friday and voted “no bill,” concluding no criminal charges should be filed against any of the officers involved in his death.

Gregory’s death was investigated by the NJ Attorney General, and all evidence connected to it was presented to a grand jury. This evidence included video footage from hotel cameras in the lobby and police officers' body-worn cameras, civilian and law enforcement interviews, photos, ballistics reports and autopsy results from the medical examiner.

Gregory, who was wanted for a shooting in New York City, had a handgun and exchanged gunfire with NYPD and Woodbridge police officers. "Gunfire was exchanged for approximately 20 seconds between Mr. Gregory and Woodbridge Officers Drew Krupinski and Justin Nerney and NYPD Detective Matthew Mauro," said the Attorney General on Friday.

Gregory was killed in the shooting exchange.

Nerney and Mauro were also both shot in the shoot-out, and they survived.

A grand jury determined Friday the three police officers committed no crime.

From the New Jersey Attorney General, here is a summary of what happened that day:

On June 12, 2024, Edison Police officers received information from an automated license plate reader that Gregory’s vehicle, which was sought in connection with a shooting that occurred in New York City and left the victim with life-threatening injuries, was in the area.

At approximately 8:20 p.m. on that date, officers from the Edison and Woodbridge police departments responded to the Royal Albert’s Palace Hotel on King Georges Post Road in Woodbridge, where they located the unoccupied vehicle in the hotel parking lot. Authorities notified the New York City Police Department (NYPD).

After midnight, now June 13, NYPD detectives responded and briefed Woodbridge police personnel on the New York criminal investigation. At approximately 12:19 a.m., law enforcement at the hotel were conducting an investigation, including interviewing a civilian, when they were alerted that Gregory was captured on surveillance walking down the hallway toward the elevator. Upon receiving this information, officers tactically positioned themselves to surround the lobby elevators.

At approximately 12:21 a.m., the hotel’s elevator doors opened, and Gregory exited toward the lobby holding multiple bags. Upon seeing officers in the lobby, Gregory dropped his bags and reached into a black backpack. Officers yelled, “Show your hands!” and “Drop the bag!” and Gregory produced a handgun. Gunfire was then exchanged for approximately 20 seconds between Gregory and Krupinski and Nerney, of Woodbridge Police, and Mauro, the NYPD detective.

During the gunfire exchange, Gregory was struck. Woodbridge PD officers rendered medical aid to Gregory until the arrival of EMS. Gregory was pronounced deceased at the scene at 12:42 a.m. A handgun located near Gregory was recovered, and ballistically matched to spent shell casings at the scene. Authorities later recovered additional rounds of ammunition in Gregory's backpack and vehicle.

Nerney and Mauro were also struck by gunfire during the exchange. Both were hospitalized in connection with their injuries and have since been released.

Footage from police body-worn cameras was previously released and is available here (warning, the videos show violence and May be difficult to watch): https://njoag.box.com/s/nf6ow1rcayu6e72ntbezamj8f85z5lsb

Prior: Body Camera Footage Released Of Man Killed In 2024 Shootout With Woodbridge Police (July 2025)