Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the arrest of 18-year-old JOAQUIN MORRIS JR., of Hackensack, NJ, and charges filed against a 16-year-old juvenile related to a stabbing that occurred in Hackensack, NJ. These charges are the result of an investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Chief Jeff Angermeyer, and the Hackensack Police Department, under the direction of Chief Michael Antista.
On Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at approximately 3:00 p.m., the Hackensack Police Department responded to an injured person at the intersection of Banta Place and State Street. Upon arrival, responding officers discovered a 16-year-old stabbing victim and learned that the suspects involved in this incident fled the scene prior to their arrival. The 16-year-old juvenile was transported by ambulance to HMH Hackensack University Medical Center in stable condition. Detectives from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit were notified, responded to the scene, and initiated a joint investigation. In addition, members of the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office responded to assist.
The investigation revealed that the 16-year-old juvenile was involved in an altercation at the intersection of Central Avenue and Union Street with another juvenile and JOAQUIN MORRIS JR. During the altercation, the 16-year-old juvenile produced a large machete that was in his possession. He swung the weapon at JOAQUIN MORRIS JR. multiple times. At the same time, MORRIS JR. produced a knife that was in his possession. He swung the knife multiple times, stabbing the 16-year-old juvenile in the torso. The 16-year-old juvenile was ultimately located by first responders at Banta Place and State Street, after MORRIS JR. and the other juvenile had already fled the scene.
As a result of the investigation, on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, the 16-year-old juvenile was charged with juvenile delinquency, specifically: one count of second-degree aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1b(1); one count of third-degree possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose, N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4d; and one count of fourth-degree possession of a weapon, N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5d. After being released from HMH Hackensack University Medical Center on Friday, March 27, 2026, the 16-year-old juvenile was placed in the custody of the Bergen County Juvenile Detention Facility pending further action by the Bergen County Superior Court Family Law Division.
As a result of the investigation, on Friday, March 27, 2026, JOAQUIN MORRIS JR. was arrested in Hackensack, NJ, and charged with one count of second-degree aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1b(1); one count of third-degree possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose, N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4d; and one count of fourth-degree possession of a weapon, N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5d. MORRIS JR. was remanded to the Bergen County Jail pending his first appearance in Bergen County Superior Court in Hackensack, NJ.
Prosecutor Musella states that the charges are merely accusations, and that the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. He would like to thank the Hackensack Police Department for its assistance in this investigation. Moreover, Prosecutor Musella thanks the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office, Palisades Interstate Parkway Police Department, and the Port Authority Police Department for their assistance throughout this case.
