The family of a man fatally shot during an encounter with Jersey City police has released a statement following a grand jury’s decision not to file criminal charges against the officer who shot him.

Andrew Washington was killed on Aug. 27, 2023. His family says he was suffering from a mental health crisis. Investigators say he was armed with a knife at the time he was shot.

News 12 spoke with Washington’s aunt, who provided the following statement:

“Drew’s mother is heartbroken that officers who took her child’s life will not be held criminally responsible for his death. We were never questioned as eyewitnesses. This is not justice.”

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According to reports, Emergency Services Unit officers went to Washington's unit on the second floor of the building, attempting to speak with him through a locked door. They say Washington refused to come out and yelled, referring to seeing ghosts and a "suicide mission.” They say Washington then began striking the door repeatedly with an unknown object.

Police say for about half an hour, a trained negotiator tried persuading Washington to come out and get help before officers forcibly entered. They say Washington, who was standing a few feet from the doorway, was armed with a 13-inch knife and advanced toward officers. One officer deployed a Taser and another fired his service weapon at Washington twice.