Criminal charges against 33-year-old, Jersey City resident Yusef E. Muhammad have been announced by Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella stemming from a stabbing that occurred in Hasbrouck Heights on Monday, August 18, 2025. The charges were filed after an investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Chief Matthew Finck, and the Hackensack Police Department, under the direction of Chief Michael Antista.
According to a press release from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, at approximately 9:25 p.m. on Monday, August 18, 2025, the Hackensack Police Department was notified by HMH Hackensack University Medical Center that a stabbing victim arrived at the hospital. Responding police officers met with hospital staff who were treating a 33-year old woman with multiple stab wounds. Officers determined that the victim arrived at the hospital in a vehicle, which ultimately drove off. The victim, who was admitted in critical condition, underwent emergency surgery for her injuries, and she survived.
Immediately following the incident, detectives from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit were notified, responded to the hospital, and initiated a joint investigation with the Hackensack Police Department. The investigation revealed that the victim was stabbed in the torso multiple times by an acquaintance, Yusef E. Muhammad, while both were inside of her parked vehicle in Hasbrouck Heights, just a few minutes’ drive from HMH Hackensack University Medical Center. Detectives also determined that Muhammad fired a handgun at the victim just prior to the stabbing, but she was not struck by the bullet. After she was stabbed, Muhammad drove the victim to the emergency room and then fled in the victim’s vehicle, which was later recovered by law enforcement on Duffield Avenue in Jersey City.
On Tuesday, August 19, 2025, as a result of the investigation, Muhammad was charged with first-degree attempted murder; third-degree possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose; and fourth-degree possession of a weapon.
Attempts by detectives from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office and Hackensack Police Department to locate and arrest Muhammad have been unsuccessful and he remains a fugitive from justice. Investigators have learned that over the past few years, prior to this incident, Muhammad was employed as a long-haul truck driver, an occupation that can involve lengthy road trips operating a tractor-trailer with a sleeping cab.
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Muhammad is asked to contact the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Tip Line at 201-226-5532.
Prosecutor Musella says that the charges in this matter are merely accusations, and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Prosecutor Musella would like to thank the Hackensack Police Department for their ongoing assistance with this case. In addition, Prosecutor Musella thanks the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office, Hasbrouck Heights Police Department, Jersey City Police Department, New Jersey Transit Police Department, and Secaucus Police Department for their assistance.