By: Najla Alexander
A Union County grand jury has returned a 14-count indictment against a Westfield man who instigated a stand-off with police in a rental home on the Boulevard in Westfield, which started on July 5 and carried over into the 6th, Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel announced.
Authorities in Union County reported that Michael P. Ward, 41, was indicted for Aggravated Assault, Endangering the Welfare of a Child, Terroristic Threats, Obstruction, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, and Resisting Arrest.
According to officials, at approximately 3:39 p.m. on Wednesday, July 5, 2023, Westfield police officers responded to a 9-1-1 call from Ward's residence for a reported dispute.
Upon arrival, officials stated, officers were met at the front door by Ward, who was brandishing a large kitchen knife.
Authorities say Ward refused to comply with the officers' demands to drop the knife and subsequently retreated back inside the residence.
Shortly thereafter, the victims exited the residence before Ward barricaded himself inside, officials said.
Officials say officers secured the area around the residence, and the Union County Emergency Response Team (UCERT) – consisting of Hostage Negotiators and the SWAT Team – were summoned to respond.
Negotiators initiated and continued hours-long on-and-off communications with Ward, officials stated but were unable to convince him to voluntarily exit the residence.
The stand-off ended at approximately 5:31 a.m. when SWAT made entry into the residence and forcibly took Ward into custody, according to officials.
"I want to commend the brave officers of the Westfield Police Department and the Union County Emergency Response Team for their swift and professional response to this dangerous situation," said Prosecutor Daniel.
"Their actions prevented a tragedy."
Officials said Ward is currently being held in the Union County Jail pending trial.
