West Caldwell Senior Stabbed By Knife-Wielding Intruder: Police

WEST CALDWELL, NJ — Police charged a woman with attempted murder after she allegedly stabbed an 80-year-old West Caldwell resident in her home on Monday, authorities said.

According to the West Caldwell Police Department, here’s how the situation unfolded:

“Just after 7:30 a.m. on July 19, a 911 caller reported a female banging on her front door and attempting to force entry into their West Caldwell home. The caller described the actor as a female who frequents a neighboring home and added that she was armed with two knives. The caller also reported that the actor was last seen running across the street and entering another neighboring home.”

Here’s what happened next, police said:

“Officers responded to the area and immediately heard screaming coming from the interior of the residence. Upon approaching the front door, officers made contact with the actor, later identified as Laila M. Alayat, a 43-year-old resident of Paterson. Officers observed Alayat, who was armed with two knives, and an 80-year-old victim bleeding in the living room. Officers began giving verbal commands to Alayat and were able to divert her attention from the victim long enough for her to safely exit the residence and into the care of patrolman Justin Eavey. Corporal Gregory Ruesch, an EMT in the West Caldwell Police Department Emergency Services Unit, began to provide immediate patient care to the victim and summoned the response of the West Essex First Aid Squad.”

West Caldwell police continued:

“Officers determined that the victim received deep wounds to both hands and a laceration to her chest. Officers on scene were able to confirm that there were no other individuals inside of the residence and safely contained Alayat inside the residence. Sergeant Leonard Santiago and patrolman Galioto established verbal communication between themselves and Alayat and effectively deescalated her to a point where she agreed to drop her knives and safely surrendered. Officers checked the surrounding homes and confirmed no further victims in the area.”

Police said that Alayat was transported to an area hospital for an evaluation, and the victim was transported to a Level I Regional Trauma Center for further treatment for non-life-threatening wounds.

Alayat was charged with attempted murder, burglary and weapons offenses, police said.

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