Teaneck Police: One in Custody after Cedar Lane Assault by Teaneck Juvenile

Chief of Police Andrew R. McGurr announces that a juvenile actor has been taken into custody and charged on a juvenile delinquency complaint following an aggravated assault that occurred last night.

On Tuesday, October 31, 2023, at approximately 8:56 PM, Officers responded to the Seasons Express store, located at 465 Cedar Lane, following several 911 calls reporting an incident. Upon their arrival, they discovered a victim, determined to be a 14-year-old boy from Teaneck, who had suffered a deep laceration to his face and a stab wound to his buttocks. The juvenile victim was transported by the Teaneck Volunteer Ambulance Corps to Hackensack University Medical Center for emergency treatment of non-life threatening injuries sustained during the attack.

As per initial Police Reports, the incident occured on the sidewalk of Garrison Avenue, between Cedar Lane and Beverly Road.

Witnesses provided a description of the suspect, who was apprehended a short time later by Bogota police.  He was reported to be a male who was dressed in dark clothing and wearing a Halloween clown mask.

That individual, identified as a 16-year-old boy from Teaneck, was determined to be the actor and was taken into protective custody. A search of the juvenile actor revealed he was in possession of a utility knife, which was partially covered in blood.

Teaneck Police indicated that “[b]ased upon a preliminary investigation, it does not appear the assault was precipitated by any type of confrontation or problem between the involved persons.”

As a result of the investigation, the juvenile actor was charged on a Juvenile Delinquency complaint with the following offenses;

  • Aggravated Assault 2nd Degree Crime
  • Aggravated Assault with a deadly weapon 3rd Degree Crime
  • Possession of a Weapon for Unlawful Purpose 3nd Degree Crime

Chief McGurr states that the charges are merely accusations and all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

 

Anyone with information about this or other investigations is urged to contact the Teaneck Police Department at 201-837-2600, or Crime Stoppers. Tips can be made anonymously on the group’s website at www.bergencrimestoppers.org or by calling 844-466-6789, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

2023-10-31-Aggravated Assault-Weapon-Juvenile Actor

“I’m Shoot Up the School” found scrawled in BF Middle School bathroom

Update (10/6/23 11am): Teaneck Police Chief Andrew McGurr has issued a statement, which has been added below.


10/5/23: In an email sent to parents of students at Benjamin Franklin Middle School (BFMS) this afternoon, School Superintendent Dr. André Spencer indicated that a report was made of “graffiti that was discovered on the wall of a girl’s restroom”.

The graffiti stated, “I’m Shoot Up the School”.

The school is working in coordination with law enforcement to determine if further actions are needed.

Superintendent Spencer says “it has been determined that there is no imminent threat to our scholars or staff”, but “there will be an increased law enforcement presence in the area”.

This event comes on the heels of several Board of Education meetings where parents have raised questions regarding security concerns.

I have reached out to Chief McGurr for comment.

Further information, as it becomes available, will be added to the story.

Email from the district appears below: Continue reading ““I’m Shoot Up the School” found scrawled in BF Middle School bathroom”