Hackensack man hospitalized after jumping from high-rise balcony during police standoff

Hackensack Man Hospitalized After Jumping From High-Rise Balcony During Police Standoff

Posted by
1 min read
March 6, 2026

Police say the man, who was armed with multiple knives, jumped between balconies before falling several stories outside a Prospect Avenue apartment building.

Hackensack, NJ – An emotionally distressed man armed with several knives jumped between balconies of a Hackensack high-rise before plunging several stories to the ground during a police response Thursday night, authorities said.

The incident unfolded late Thursday at the 13-story Carlyle apartment building on Prospect Avenue as police attempted to negotiate with the 38-year-old man, according to Hackensack Police Capt. Darrin DeWitt.


Key Points

• Knife-wielding man jumped between balconies at Hackensack high-rise
• Police negotiators attempted to intervene before the man fell several stories
• The man survived the fall and was hospitalized for physical and mental health treatment

Police attempt negotiations

Officers responded after the man was seen standing over the railing of a fourth-floor balcony during rainy conditions while holding several knives. When uniformed officers and crisis negotiators entered the apartment, witnesses said the man appeared to be poking himself with one of the knives.

Authorities said the man was holding five knives during the incident. A law enforcement source said he was already known to police from at least one prior episode.

Witnesses with a clear view told authorities the man appeared to be wearing a bubble-style jacket as officers began speaking with him.

Jump between balconies

As officers moved closer and attempted to grab him, witnesses said the man dropped from the fourth-floor balcony onto a third-floor balcony below, shedding his jacket during the fall.

He then jumped again, landing on the ground several stories below the building, DeWitt said.

The man suffered visible injuries but remained conscious and was speaking with responders after the fall.

Hospitalized after incident

Police said the man did not assault officers during the incident and did not stab himself, despite claims circulating on social media.

No criminal charges were filed. Authorities said he was transported to a hospital for treatment of both physical injuries and mental health issues.

Responders included the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office Crisis Intervention Team, the Bergen County Regional SWAT Team, the Bergen County Regional Crisis Negotiation Team, Hackensack firefighters and HUMC ALS and BLS units.

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.

Don't Miss

Exit mobile version