Man with Knife Shot After Charging at Cop in Jersey City

Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez has released the following information:

The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office is investigating an Officer Involved Shooting that occurred Friday evening on Hopkins Avenue in Jersey City.

On Friday, August 7, 2020, shortly after 6:00 p.m., members of the Jersey City Police Department responded to 25 Hopkins Avenue on the report of an intoxicated person fighting.

Responding officers encountered a male armed with a knife. The individual disregarded repeated requests by police to put his weapon down. Additionally, officers deployed OC Spray, commonly known as pepper spray, but the individual did not put down his weapon and instead lunged with the knife at officers. The preliminary investigation revealed that one officer discharged his weapon striking the individual, who was transported to the Jersey City Medical Center for treatment.

The individual has been charged with Aggravated Assault in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(B)1, a crime of the second degree; Possession of a Weapon (knife) for Unlawful Purposes in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4D, a crime of the third degree; and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (knife) in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5D, a crime of the fourth degree.

The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office is investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting. As is standard protocol, the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office has been notified and the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office is working in conjunction with the State Attorney General.