NJ Cop Punched Player In Face During Sports Game: Reports

BERKELEY, NJ - A New Jersey police officer was charged with aggravated assault after punching another man in the face during an adult softball game this month, according to documents obtained by multiple outlets.

Patrick Carney, 50, a Lakewood police officer, was charged with aggravated assault/attempt to cause significant bodily injury after he was struck by a baseball hit by the victim, Ryan O’Rorke, who was the batter in the game, per NJ.com. Carney was reportedly pitching during the game.

The incident took place at an adult softball event at Berkeley’s Veterans Park on June 1 around 9:30 p.m., NJ 101.5 reported.

The baseball hit sparked an argument between both teams that began with “arguing and shoving” but escalated after Carney punched O’Rorke on the right side of his face, according to a criminal complaint obtained by the outlet. The victim reportedly requested medical assistance.

NJ.com reports that O’Rorke went for a CT scan the next day, and ultimately had surgery on June 15 for a facial fracture.

The incident is currently under investigation by the Berkeley Township Police Detective Bureau, an Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office spokesperson told NJ 101.5.