TEANECK, NJ — On Thursday night, police in Englewood arrested a teen who pulled a gun during a high school basketball game in Teaneck. The event comes just hours after a tense police-involved incident occurred earlier in the week at a Teaneck Board of Education meeting.
The two incidents, however unrelated, underscore an escalation of tension and violence within the district.
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At approximately 9:05 PM, Teaneck Police Department officers, including Captain Kurschner and Detective Apreda, witnessed several fights among spectators after a basketball game between Teaneck High School and Hackensack High School. The game, which ended in a Teaneck victory, took place at Teaneck High School and attracted a crowd of over 300 people.
In response to the escalating situation, Lieutenant Moliere called for mutual aid through SPEN, and officers from Fort Lee, Paramus, Englewood, Ridgefield Park, Leonia, Hackensack, Palisade Park, Cliffside Park, PIP, and County responded. The request for additional support came after learning that a girls’ basketball game in Hackensack had been canceled due to a fight, prompting increased security measures at Teaneck High School.
At around 9:30 PM, a bystander at the game, reported seeing a male juvenile display a handgun in the parking lot on Cranford Place. Officers found several agitated individuals entering a Nissan Sentra, and although they obtained its registration, it was unclear if this vehicle was related to the handgun report.
Parking issues contributed to the incident, with illegally parked vehicles along Cranford Place hindering emergency access. The crowd eventually dispersed without any reported injuries to officers or spectators, and no arrests were made.
Later, an Englewood Officer spotted the Nissan in Englewood and attempted a stop near 3rd and 4th Streets. The officer encountered a hostile crowd of about 30-40 people, leading to another request for mutual aid. Most occupants of the Nissan fled, except for the registered owner, who was not found with a weapon.
The Teaneck Police Department, under Chief Andrew McGurr, continues to investigate the fights and the reported handgun display, reviewing available video footage. They urge anyone with information to contact them at 201-837-2600 or Crime Stoppers, with anonymous tips accepted at www.bergencrimestoppers.org or by calling 844-466-6789.