Police: Asbury Park Cop Stabbed By Knife-Wielding Middlesex County Man

An Asbury Park police officer was injured during an altercation with a knife-wielding Middlesex County man who was shot by a second officer as they attempted to subdue him, announced Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.

Asbury Park Police Officer Carl Christie was stabbed in the torso but the knife was prevented from puncturing the officer’s abdomen by his bullet-proof vest. The officer received lacerations on his right wrist and a finger.

The incident occurred after Christie responded around 9:20 a.m., Monday to a report of a disorderly man outside 619 Main Street, in Asbury Park.

Oswaldo Torres Quiroz, 22, a Mexican national living at 97 Fiume St., in the Iselin section of Woodbridge Township, was brandishing an 8-10-inch steak knife when Officer Christie and Police Officer Johnny Washington arrived on scene, according to the MCPO.

The Officers were immediately confronted by Torres Quiroz. A third officer, Police Officer Anthony Butler, arrived on scene to assist. A struggle ensued when the officers attempted to disarm Torres Quiroz, who was carelessly swinging the knife resulting in the injuries to Christie.

During the struggle Torres Quiroz attempted to grab Officer Washington’s weapon. Washington discharged his weapon, a Glock .40-caliber pistol, striking Torres Quiroz in the abdomen.

Christie, a 23-year veteran police office who has been with the Asbury Park Police Department
for the past 15 years, was taken to a local hospital where he was treated for lacerations to his right wrist and a
finger. He was later released.

Washington, a 15-year Asbury Park Police Department veteran, was taken to the hospital with respiratory problems and was later released. Butler was not injured.

Torres Quiroz, who is listed in stable condition following surgery at a local hospital, has been charged with first degree attempted murder, second degree attempting to disarm a law enforcement officer, third degree resisting arrest, third degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, fourth degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, and fourth degree possession of a prohibited weapon.

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