Shots Fired During Lakewood Drug Deal, Man Stabbed: Police

LAKEWOOD, NJ — An altercation Sunday night ended with shots fired and a stabbing, according to Lakewood police. Both men involved face charges, and one was hospitalized, authorities said.

Police responded to a report of shots fired around 9 p.m. Sunday in the area of 236 Martin Luther King Drive. Police found Zachary Koeser with a knife, holding Nyshawn Bergstrom by the back, according to officials.

Further investigation revealed that both were engaged in a drug deal, police said. Bergstrom allegedly pulled a handgun on Koeser and attempted to rob him of his money, according to police.

A struggle ensued, and the gun went off at least three times, authorities said. No one was struck by the stray rounds. But Koeser took out of knife and stabbed Bergstrom in his lower abdomen, police said.

Bergstrom went to a local hospital and was listed in stable condition upon release. Bergstrom, 20, of Lakewood, was charged with attempted murder, armed robbery and weapons offenses.

Koeser, 27, of Toms River, was charged with aggravated assault and weapons offenses. He was taken to the Ocean County Jail.