🩸 18-YEAR-OLD STABBED TWICE AFTER INTERVENING IN ATTACK AT BERGENFIELD PARK
An 18-year-old man is in stable condition after being stabbed twice while defending a teenager from an attack at Veterans Memorial Park in Bergenfield. Police arrested two local juveniles in connection with the assault following a pickup basketball game on Friday night.
📍 BERGENFIELD, NJ — August 31, 2026
An 18-year-old New Milford man was stabbed twice in the chest after reportedly stepping in to help a 17-year-old who was being attacked at a Bergenfield park, according to police.
🚔 Officers responded to Veterans Memorial Park on New Bridge Road at approximately 8:45 p.m. Friday after receiving reports of an assault.
When officers arrived, they found the 18-year-old suffering from two stab wounds to the chest. He was transported to Hackensack University Medical Center, where he was listed in stable condition.
🔎 WHAT POLICE SAY HAPPENED
According to investigators, two Bergenfield teenagers allegedly planned to attack a 17-year-old boy from Dumont following a pickup basketball game.
Police said the two teens began assaulting the 17-year-old when the 18-year-old intervened. During the confrontation, the 18-year-old was allegedly stabbed twice.
The suspects reportedly fled the park in a gray Nissan Altima, but officers and detectives located them shortly after the stabbing.
⚖️ JUVENILES CHARGED
A 16-year-old boy was charged with aggravated assault, weapons offenses and tampering with physical evidence.
A 17-year-old boy was charged with simple assault and conspiracy to commit aggravated assault.
Both juveniles were being held at the Bergen County Juvenile Detention Center pending further court proceedings.
The investigation remains ongoing.
⚠️ All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
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