Man Charged In Random Stabbing Attack At Lakewood Town Hall

LAKEWOOD, NJ — Authorities released the name of a Lakewood man who they say stabbed another Lakewood resident and punched a police officer who responded to the attack in the township municipal building on Thursday.

Reginald Patillo, 47, is charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault against a law enforcement offers, resisting arrest, possession a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and unlawful possession of a weapon, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.

Lakewood Police Capt. Gregory Staffordsmith, in a video interview published by The Lakewood Scoop, said it appeared to be a random attack.

The incident happened shortly before 11 a.m. on the second floor of the municipal building. Authorities allege Patillo attacked the Lakewood resident, whom Staffordsmith described as an elderly Jewish man, as the man got into the elevator. Patillo apparently was getting off the elevator, Staffordsmith said, and allegedly stabbed the man several times in the neck and head.

Municipal workers who heard the attack sounded a panic alarm and police officers who had seen the attack through security cameras in the building responded.

Police found Patillo sitting in a chair, and as they questioned him, he attacked, punching one of the officers in the face. Patillo was subdued and arrested; Staffordsmith said a folded knife fell out of Patillo's waistband during the struggle and was recovered.

The victim and the police officer were taken to a local hospital for evaluation of their injuries. Staffordsmith said the victim's wounds are not believed to be life-threatening, Lakewood Capt. Gregory Staffordsmith said.

Lakewood Township Committeeman Meir Lichtenstein, the liaison to the emergency services department, urged the public to not make any assumptions about the attack.

"Everything at the scene suggests that this was just a random attack," Staffordsmith said.

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Reginald Patillo photo provided by the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office.

Photo of Lakewood Municipal Building with crime scene tape following stabbing via The Lakewood Scoop, published with permission. Lakewood Police photo by Karen Wall, Patch staff