Two Teens Charged After Machete And Knife Fight In Bergen County: Prosecutor

HACKENSACK, NJ — Two teens have been arrested in connection with a fight involving a knife and machete in a Hackensack street last month, prosecutors said.

Joaquin Morris Jr., 18, of Hackensack was arrested and a 16-year-old was charged last Friday in connection with a stabbing on March 24, Bergen County Prosecutors said.

Prosecutors said that around 3 p.m. that day, the Hackensack Police Department responded to an injured person at the intersection of Banta Place and State Street.

Police found a 16-year-old stabbing victim. He was taken by ambulance to Hackensack University Medical Center in stable condition.

Detectives investigated and determined that the teen and Morris were involved in an "altercation," they said.

The teen had pulled out a machete, prosecutors say, and swung it at Morris. Morris pulled out a knife and stabbed the teen in the torso, prosecutors said.

The victim's aunt reportedly spoke at a council meeting that night, saying her nephew was stabbed seven times and required surgery.

Morris was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and other weapons charges, prosecutors said. He was taken to the Bergen County Jail last Friday, prosecutors said.

The teen victim was also charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. After being released from the hospital last Friday, he was taken to the Bergen County Juvenile Detention Facility, prosecutors said.