A New Jersey police officer was slashed with a steak knife while responding to a domestic violence call in a busy commercial district Monday morning, officials say. The suspect was later shot by another officer.
Patrolman Carl Christie was cut on the wrist and finger during a confrontation with 22-year-old Oswaldo Torres Quiroz on Main Street in the heart of Asbury Park's commercial district around 9:30 a.m., the prosecutor's office said. Prosecutors allege Quiroz, who lives in the Iselin section of Woodbridge Township, started swinging a steak knife wildly at three officers who responded to the domestic call.
The officers tried to subdue Quiroz, but Christie was slashed in the fray.
Prosecutors say Quiroz stabbed Christie in the abdomen and the blade of the 8- to 10-inch steak knife went through Christie's protective vest and shirt. But the vest stopped the blade and Christie didn't have any abdomen injuries.
"Thank God, he was wearing his vest," first assistant county prosecutor Marc LeMieux said.
Quiroz also allegedly tried to grab the service weapon of patrolman Johnny Washington. Washington then stepped back and fired his .40 caliber Glock one time, hitting Quiroz in the abdomen. Quiroz was in stable condition after surgery.
Christie, a 15-year veteran, was treated for lacerations and released. Washington was treated for respiratory problems and released. The third officer wasn't injured.
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Quiroz was charged with first-degree attempted murder, attempting to disarm a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest and possession of a weapon.
Merchants who were inside their stores tell NBC 4 New York they heard a shot, then ran outside and saw both the suspect and the officer on the sidewalk.
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