Man Attacks, Knocks Linden Cop Unconscious After Setting Fire: PD

LINDEN, NJ — A Linden man who attacked two police officers and knocked one unconscious after setting a bed on fire was charged, acting Union County Prosecutor Lyndsay V. Ruotolo and Linden Police Chief David Hart jointly announced Monday.

Zumana Karamoko, 23, is charged with second-degree aggravated arson, second-degree aggravated assault on a police officer, third-degree resisting arrest, two counts of third-degree aggravated assault on a police officer, and fourth-degree criminal mischief.

On Sunday morning at around 10:45 a.m. Linden Police went to a home on the 600 block of Chandler Avenue because Karamoko was trying to set the building on fire, according to Union County Assistant Prosecutor Melissa Caparruva, who is prosecuting the case.

Karamoko attacked the first officer who arrived, knocking him unconscious and then injured another officer while resisting arrest moments later in the area of East Blancke Street and Baltimore Avenue, Ruotolo said.

Linden Fire Department put out the fire.

The most seriously injured officer was taken to University Hospital in Newark with serious but not life-threatening injuries. The second officer was treated for minor injuries at Trinitas Regional Medical Center in Elizabeth, while a third officer was treated for smoke inhalation at RWJ University Hospital-Rahway.

Karamoko is in custody and waiting for his first hearing to be scheduled in Superior Court.

This incident remains under investigation, and anyone with information is being urged to contact Linden Police Department Detective Maurice Rawlins at 908-474-8537.

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