NJ Man Charged With Murder In QuickChek Stabbing: Prosecutor

PASSAIC COUNTY, NJ — A North Jersey man was charged with first-degree murder after he allegedly stabbed a man at a Totowa QuickChek early Sunday morning, authorities said.

Damien Edwards, 33, was charged with first-degree murder after he fled from a QuickChek convenience store at 79 Union Boulevard in Totowa, said Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes.

An on-duty Totowa Police officer was at the QuickChek at 3:30 a.m. when he saw Edwards attack Justin Parker, 35, outside the store's entrance, Valdes said.

The officer tried to take Edwards into custody, but Edwards fled the scene; he was arrested by nearby officers, the prosecutor said.

Parker was stabbed in the torso and died at the store at about 4 a.m., Valdes said.

In addition to murder, Edwards was charged with possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a weapon.

Edwards is scheduled to appear in Central Judicial Processing Court Monday afternoon. The State will file a motion for a pretrial detention in the case.

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Photo: Damien Edwards, 33, of Totowa (Passaic County Prosecutor's Office)