Decision Making Does Have Consequences

On September 14, 2021, Mr. Charles Sharp III was fatally shot by a Mantua Township police officer in response to a 911 call reporting multiple burglars behind his home, one allegedly armed with a handgun.

While on the phone with dispatch, Mr. Sharp III stated that one suspect was inside his shed while another attempted to steal one of his vehicles. He informed dispatch that he was holding his father’s .45 caliber handgun, a replica firearm, which he was using to deter the intruders.

Body-worn camera footage shows that when officers arrived, Mr. Sharp III was standing approximately 25-30 yards away from the first responding officer’s patrol vehicle while still on his property. He was holding a cell phone in one hand while speaking with dispatch, and the replica firearm was in his other hand, positioned downward and not pointed at anyone.

Tactical Considerations

As the first officer exited his vehicle, he remained on the driver’s side, utilizing distance and cover. His patrol vehicle’s spotlight was aimed at Mr. Sharp III, impairing Mr. Sharp’s visibility. A second patrol vehicle arrived shortly thereafter. At this point, the first officer had key tactical advantages:

• Distance from the potential threat: positioning himself on the driver’s side created space between him and Mr. Sharp III.
• Cover: the patrol vehicle’s engine block provided effective ballistic protection.
• Visibility control: the patrol spotlight illuminated Mr. Sharp III, giving the officer an opportunity to assess the situation.

Despite these tactical advantages, the officer discharged his weapon, firing approximately six rounds at Mr. Sharp III. As Mr. Sharp III fell to the ground, having dropped both the replica firearm and his cell phone, the officer fired an additional six rounds. The initial shots appeared to have already incapacitated him.

Critical Concerns

Two key issues stand out in this case:

1. Mr. Sharp III never pointed the firearm at the officers.
2. The second responding officer was attempting to issue verbal commands when the first officer began firing.

As a result, the officer was indicted and subsequently convicted of manslaughter, facing a sentence of up to 10 years in prison. Under New Jersey’s “No Early Release Act,” he must serve at least 85% of his sentence before becoming eligible for parole.

Lessons for Law Enforcement Training

This tragic incident underscores the critical need for continuous scenario-based training. Utilizing tools such as the MotoShot Moving Target System and simulation-based firearms training, we have conducted similar exercises in which officer responses vary, some pause to assess the threat. In contrast, others instinctively fire and proceed to the next phase of the drill, such as rescue operations or room clearing.

A primary focus of our training is the after-action review (AAR), where we break down each officer’s decision-making process, asking: “Why did you take this action, and was it justified?” While many officers accept professional critiques constructively, others struggle to articulate their reasoning after engaging a “no-shoot” target.

We emphasize that these exercises enhance officers’ situational awareness, decision-making, and ability to assess threats in high-stress environments. Officers must train to avoid static positioning (“staying on the X”), incorporate movement on multiple angles, and gain a clearer visual on potential threats before engaging.

Conclusion

The incident in Mantua Township should never have happened. However, it highlights a more significant issue within law enforcement: Insufficient scenario-based use-of-force training and a continued reliance on the flawed mentality of “shoot until the threat is down.” Many agencies still prioritize basic marksmanship over dynamic, real-world decision-making scenarios. Currently, police officers do not receive extensive annual training in firearms, use of force, and critical decision making. Many learn from real-life incidents, often when it is too little, too late.

While marksmanship and tactical proficiency are essential, law enforcement must also invest in situational awareness, movement-based training, and proper threat assessment techniques. Utilizing modern training tools such as the MotoShot Moving Target System can help officers develop better judgment, avoid unnecessary use of force, and ultimately save lives.

“Qualifying is not training. Always remember that.”