An Asbury Park police officer was injured during an altercation with a knife-wielding Middlesex County man who was shot by a second officer as they attempted to subdue him and he grabbed at the officer’s weapon, announced Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.
Asbury Park Police Officer Carl Christie was stabbed in the torso but the knife was prevented from puncturing the officer’s abdomen by his bullet-proof vest. The officer received lacerations on his right wrist and a finger.
The incident occurred after Officer Christie responded around 9:20 a.m. this morning to a report of a disorderly man outside 619 Main Street, in Asbury Park.
Oswaldo Torres Quiroz, 22, of Iselin section of Woodbridge Township, was brandishing an 8-10-inch steak knife when Officer Christie and Police Officer Johnny Washington arrived on scene. The Officers were immediately confronted by Torres Quiroz. A third officer, Police Officer Anthony Butler, arrived on scene to assist. A struggle ensued when the officers attempted to disarm Torres Quiroz, who was carelessly swinging the knife resulting in the injuries to Officer Christie. During the struggle Torres Quiroz attempted to grab Officer Washington’s weapon. Washington discharged his weapon, a Glock .40-caliber pistol, striking Torres Quiroz in the abdomen.
Officer Christie, a 23-year veteran police officer who has been with the Asbury Park Police Department for the past 15 years, was taken to a local hospital where he was treated for lacerations to his right wrist and a finger. He was later released.
Officer Washington, a 15-year Asbury Park Police Department veteran, was taken to the hospital with respiratory problems and was later released.
Officer Butler was not injured.
Torres Quiroz is listed in stable condition following surgery at a local hospital.
Torres Quiroz has been charged with first degree attempted murder, second degree attempting to disarm a law enforcement officer, third degree resisting arrest, third degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, fourth degree unlawful possession of a weapon, and fourth degree possession of a prohibited weapon.