NJ Police Taser Woman To Save Her From Self-Harm, Authorities Say

Editor’s Note: This article discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline for free, confidential support, 24 hours a day. Resources can also be found here.

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — A local woman is expected to make a full recovery following a mental health crisis and confrontation with police in early April, the South Brunswick Police Department said.

On Friday at 7:34 p.m., South Brunswick Police were dispatched to a home on Kingston Lane for a report of a woman having a mental health crisis.

The caller told police that the woman had stabbed herself in the neck and abdomen, and was trying to kill herself. Authorities did not release the woman’s identity.

Once officers arrived at the home, the caller directed them to a back bathroom off the kitchen, where the woman had gone. Sgt. Jarrid Harpster found her standing in the dark bathroom, still holding the knife.

According to police, the woman was bleeding and told officers that she wanted to end her life.

In response, Sgt. Harpster remained calm and started to negotiate with the woman to drop the knife, while Officer Dale Hubner covered him.

As Sgt. Harpster negotiated, Sgt. Brooke Labell exited the house and ran to the back of the home to see if there was another view into the darkened bathroom. Unable to get access to the back of the home, she returned to the kitchen.

Sgt. Labell then alternated negotiations with Sgt. Harpster and asked the woman if she preferred to speak with her. The woman gave limited responses and refused to drop the knife, police said.

After a few minutes, the woman started to leave the bathroom, still holding the knife in her right hand at waist level.

Both sergeants asked the woman to drop the knife and stop moving towards them. The woman stopped speaking and stepped into the kitchen.

As the sergeants slowly backed up, police said the woman began to advance towards them. She was holding the knife at waist level, pointed at the sergeants, authorities said.

The woman closed to within seven feet of police when Sgt. Labell deployed her Axon Taser, which temporarily immobilized the woman, causing her to drop to the floor.

The sergeants then ran up to her and took the knife out of her hand before providing medical treatment. The woman suffered self-inflicted stab wounds to her neck and abdomen.

The Monmouth Junction First Aid Squad and paramedics brought the woman to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. She is expected to make a full recovery, police said.

"This woman was in crisis, and these officers went above and beyond to save her life. She was looking to force these officers into using deadly force,” Chief Raymond Hayducka said. “They worked as a team to resolve this tense standoff."

"This is a case everyone needs to know about because a woman is alive today as a result of the actions of these officers,” he continued. “I also want to recognize the Mayor and Council for the substantial investment they made in purchasing tasers for all our officers. This is the second life that has been saved in an armed standoff with South Brunswick police by the use of tasers."