MONMOUTH COUNTY – A Monmouth County Grand Jury has decided not to bring criminal charges against a Fair Haven police officer who shot a burglary suspect during an incident in Rumson last year, Prosecutor Raymond Santiago announced.
The review focused on Officer Brooks Robinson, whose use of force was examined by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Professional Responsibility Unit under the oversight of the state Office of Public Integrity and Accountability.
Investigators said the shooting happened early September 6, 2024, after officers from several towns responded to reports of suspects involved in a series of vehicle and attempted home burglaries in Rumson. A Rumson officer first encountered the suspects’ vehicle, which struck his patrol car as it fled. He continued pursuing the vehicle through the borough.
Robinson, responding from Fair Haven, positioned himself on Avenue of Two Rivers, where he saw both the fleeing vehicle and the Rumson patrol car approaching. Officials said he stopped his car, activated his lights and stepped out. The suspect vehicle initially slowed but then accelerated toward him. Robinson fired his weapon, hitting passenger Nnamdi Atumudo, 28, of Irvington, who suffered a non-life-threatening injury to the face.
The vehicle then crashed, and officers provided medical aid. The investigation included body-camera footage, dashboard video, physical evidence and interviews with officers and witnesses. The material was presented to the Grand Jury, which found no basis for criminal charges against Robinson.
The case was handled under the state’s Independent Prosecutor Directive, which requires conflicts checks and independent review of police-involved shootings. Prosecutors said no conflicts were identified.
Both suspects in the burglary spree were later indicted. Atumudo pleaded guilty to third-degree burglary and attempted burglary charges in Howell and Rumson and received a four-year prison sentence. The driver, 21-year-old Rasheen Yarbrough of St. Louis, pleaded guilty to second-degree eluding and third-degree attempted burglary and was also sentenced to four years.
