WILDWOOD – A Wildwood Police Department officer disarmed a juvenile armed with a knife after the 15-year-old threatened his brother and attempted to stab the officer.
The Wildwood Police Department was called to the Wildwood Housing Authority Thursday, Nov. 16, at approximately 7:34 a.m., after the report of a youth experiencing a mental health crisis inside a unit of Commissioners Court located at 3700 New Jersey Ave. The caller said her 15-year-old son had been acting out of control and threatened her 10-year-old son during a family dispute.
The police officer who arrived on the scene attempted to make contact with the juvenile who had locked himself in one of the bedrooms. The officer was able to unlock the bedroom door and observed the juvenile standing near an open window. Police said the officer immediately communicated with the juvenile, who approached the officer in an aggressive manner. Police said, without warning, the juvenile suddenly removed a fixed 6-inch blade kitchen knife from the pocket of his hooded sweatshirt and attempted to stab the officer in his neck. The officer was able to block his attacker and quickly subdued the juvenile during a brief struggle before taking him into custody.
The knife was recovered on scene and submitted as evidence. The officer, who was not named, was treated for a minor laceration to his right hand at Cape Regional Medical Center.
During the continuing investigation, the Wildwood Police Department Detective Division and Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office secured a statement from the caller.
As a result of this investigation, the juvenile was charged with first-degree conspiracy to commit murder, second-degree aggravated assault, third-degree possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose, third-degree resisting arrest and fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon.
The juvenile is currently being held in the Ocean County Juvenile Intake Center.
