Knife-Wielding Man Indicted Following 14-Hour Stand Off In Westfield

WESTFIELD, NJ — A Westfield man was indicted by a Union County grand jury after authorities say he "instigated" a 14-hour-long police stand-off involving SWAT that began on July 5 and went on until July 6, Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel announced on Wednesday.

Michael P. Ward, 41, was indicted for aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of a child, terroristic threats, obstruction, unlawful possession of weapon, possession of weapon for an unlawful purpose, and resisting arrest.

At around 3:39 p.m. on Wednesday, July 5, Westfield police officers responded to a 911 call from Ward's rental home on The Boulevard in Westfield for a reported dispute.

When police arrived they could hear arguing inside and were met at the front door by Ward, who was holding a large kitchen knife about 12 inches in length above his head with the blade pointed outwards towards the officers, Westfield Police Chief Christopher Battiloro said.

Officers demanded that Ward drop the knife, but he refused and ordered the officers to leave, saying they would have to shoot in order for him to relinquish it, said Battiloro.

He then retreated back inside the home, closing and locking the door.

The door was then opened by Ward’s mother, and officers told everyone inside to exit the home before Ward barricaded himself inside.

"Officers then learned that, earlier, Ward had grabbed his wife around her throat, applying pressure to it and cutting off her breathing, and agreed only to stop if she called the police," said Battiloro.

Ward told officers it was his intent to draw a police response and to then die by suicide by cop, said Battiloro.

Officers secured the area around the home, and the Union County Emergency Response Team
(UCERT) – consisting of Hostage Negotiators and the SWAT Team – were called.

Negotiators continued hours-long on-and-off communications with Ward but were unable to convince him to voluntarily exit the home, according to Daniel.

The stand-off ended at around 5:31 a.m. when SWAT made entry into the home and forcibly took Ward into custody.

"I want to commend the brave officers of the Westfield Police Department and the Union County Emergency Response Team for their swift and professional response to this dangerous situation,” said Prosecutor Daniel. "Their actions prevented a tragedy."

Ward is currently being held in the Union County Jail pending trial.

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