State grand jury declines to indict Cranford officers in fatal shooting on Parkway

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TRENTON, NJ — A state grand jury decided not to file criminal charges against Cranford Police Officers Christopher Folinusz and Ryan McSharry in the December 2023 shooting death of a Perth Amboy man on the Garden State Parkway. The attorney general announced Friday.

The incident, which occurred during a police pursuit, led to the death of 40-year-old Kevin Harlfinger after a gunfight with officers near Exit 131 in Woodbridge. According to the statement made by the Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, it was determined in the investigation that Harlfinger, who was driving a stolen vehicle, shot at the police after crashing into the vehicle.

The investigation into the shooting was carried out by the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) in accordance with the Independent Prosecutor Guidelines 2019. The findings were presented to the grand jury, which concluded there was no basis to file criminal charges against the officers.

The investigation examined mobile video recorder footage, body-worn camera footage and ballistic evidence, as well as interviews and autopsy results. Authorities confirmed the seizure of a firearm from Harlfinger, and ballistic tests showed that shell casings at the scene matched his gun. Officer Folinusz suffered a non-fatal gunshot wound during the incident and was treated and released from the hospital.

Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin emphasized that the grand jury process follows standard operating procedures established in July 2021 to ensure impartiality and transparency in such cases.