A years-long verbal dispute between two deli employees at a ShopRite in Union County ended with a violent worksite stabbing attack on Sunday afternoon.
Speaking to RLS Media anonymously, employees at ShopRite said the victim, a 24-year-employee, suffered multiple stab wounds during the attack in front of customers.
A preliminary investigation indicated that at approximately 3:44 p.m., police responded to 76 Central Avenue (ShopRite) after receiving reports of a fight inside the establishment.
Upon arrival, police found the senior female worker suffering severe stab wounds at that location.
The woman was rushed to University Hospital under police escort while officers on the scene detained a second female who allegedly attacked the victim.
Several employees told RLS Media that the suspect Ms. Melissa Prince, 57, of Edison used the largest knife in the deli and began to repeatedly stab the woman while yelling, "you will finally leave me alone today."
"The victim and the suspect have had a long dispute that was known to management and every employee knew that the pair had issues with each other," an employee anonymously explained.
Authorities arrested the unidentified woman and charged her with aggravated assault, according to Clark Police.
"The violent stabbing happened in front of customers, but no one assisted immediately because everyone was shocked," an employee said.
After being stabbed about a half dozen times, employees say an employee from the meat department sprinted over towards the two women and grabbed the attacker, ultimately ending the assault.
"These two have always had problems and today the suspect apparently said enough is enough," an employee said.
No customers were injured during the attack, according to police.
The Union County Prosecutor's Office has not immediately reported a homicide investigation, and the official motive for the assault is under investigation.
A statement regarding the issue requested from ShopRite officials went unanswered.