Mayor James Solomon and Acting Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose commend the heroic actions by Jersey City Police officers and members of the Emergency Service Unit during a violent domestic incident on Sunday, March 1, resulting in the safe rescue of a five-year-old child and the arrest of the suspect after a three-hour barricade and negotiation.
When responding to a report of a domestic disturbance yesterday on Claremont Avenue, JCPD officers arrived to observe a 39-year-old female victim who was visibly distraught and bleeding from the mouth. The victim reported that her ex-boyfriend had forced entry into her apartment by breaking a window from the fire escape and proceeded to strike her multiple times, preventing her from leaving, and threatening her life.
During the altercation, the victim was able to escape the apartment when the suspect proceeded to lock her out, barricading himself inside where her five-year-old daughter remained.
Given the imminent threat and the child hostage heard crying from inside the apartment, members of the JCPD’s Emergency Service Unit (ESU) made a forced entry and located the young girl, who was found unharmed. JCPD officers immediately reunited her with her mother.
As officers proceeded to clear the apartment, officers strategically positioned outside observed the suspect retreat to the fire escape and break into a vacant apartment one floor above, where he barricaded himself again.
ESU officers, who are highly training and certified crisis and hostage negotiators, maintained constant communication with the suspect for nearly three hours until he voluntarily surrendered. He was placed under arrest and transported to a local hospital for evaluation.
The mother and daughter declined medical treatment at the scene.
Mayor Solomon and Public Safety Director Ambrose are commending the responding officers, members of the Emergency Service Unit, JCPD leadership, and everyone involved for their effective execution and deployment of specialized training, which resulted in the safe recovery of the young girl and arrest of a violent suspect.
“This incident could have ended in tragedy,” said Mayor Solomon. “Because of the decisive, disciplined response of our police officers and Emergency Service Unit, a young child was brought to safety, and a dangerous individual was taken into custody. This is exactly the level of professionalism and preparedness our residents deserve.”
“Our officers entered a volatile and unpredictable situation with a child at risk and resolved it without further injury. Their coordinated response secured a safe resolution in a highly volatile situation that carried significant risk of serious harm,” added Director Ambrose. “ESU’s crisis negotiation training and tactical execution prevented escalation and protected innocent lives.”
The 33-year-old suspect, identified as Mr. Kevin Evans of Newark, faces the following charges:
- 2C:18-2.1 Home Invasion Burglary
- 2C:15-1A(1) Robbery – Bodily Injury
- 2C:12-1B(13) Aggravated Assault
- 2C:13-2A Criminal Restraint – Risk of Serious Bodily Injury
- 2C:12-3A Terroristic Threats
- 2C:24-4A Endangering the Welfare of a Child
- 2C:17-3 Criminal Mischief
- 53:1-15 Failure to Allow Fingerprinting
- 2C:18-3B Defiant Trespass
- 2C:29-7 Bail Jumping
The Jersey City Police Department continues to encourage residents to report all suspicious activity. Community cooperation remains a critical component in preventing violence and ensuring safe neighborhoods across the city. Anyone with information related to this or other incidents is asked to contact the Jersey City Police Department or submit tips anonymously through email at policetips@njjcps.org or by calling 855-JCP-TIPS.