Authorities in Union County are investigating circumstances surrounding a fight that ended with a woman being stabbed multiple times in Hillside Friday night.
According to a statement released by Hillside Police Chief Vincent Ricciardi last night, at approximately 9:00 p.m.,Hillside Police received a report at police headquarters from the father of the victim, a 27-year-old female of Hillside.
Chief Ricciardi the dad reported that his daughter had been stabbed multiple times at Mayfair Liquors, located at 1444 North Broad Street in Hillside, and was driven to Beth Israel Hospital.
According to Chief Ricciardi, Hillside Police responded to both the hospital and incident location to secure the crime scene and begin our investigation.
Officers and Hillside Detectives developed information that the victim had been followed into the liquor store by a former friend identified as Ms. Daja Harris, 23, of Hillside.
Chief Ricciardi said Ms. Harris was there with two other females and two males who waited outside.
While inside, a dispute between the two women quickly devolved into a physical altercation.
Chief Ricciardi said during the altercation, Harris used a knife to stab the victim in the chest and back.
The victim was able to eventually wrestle the knife from Harris' hand, where she then exited the store.
She received additional lacerations to her hands in the process, Chief Ricciardi said.
The victim was then brought to the hospital by a friend, where doctors treated and then listed the woman in stable condition.
Chief Ricciardi said the victim is expected to survive her injuries.
Police have recovered the weapon used. The investigation is ongoing.
Hillside police detectives have issued a criminal warrant for the arrest of Daja Harris, 23, of Hillside.
Chief Ricciardi said she is charged with Aggravated Assault, Possession of a Weapon, and Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose.
The Hillside Police Department is actively seeking Daja Harris.
If she is seen or her whereabouts are known, please do not approach her.
Instead, please call Hillside Police at 973-926-5800 immediately or report it on our tips app, "HillsidePD." Callers may remain anonymous.