Florence Township, NJ – A Virginia teen who attacked several police officers in Burlington County last year has pleaded guilty to attempted murder and will be sentenced as an adult, authorities announced Friday.
According to Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia L. Bradshaw, 17-year-old Fasihullah Safar of Alexandria entered guilty pleas in Superior Court to attempted murder, aggravated assault, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, and theft of a motor vehicle. Under a plea agreement, Safar will receive an 18-year state prison sentence when he is sentenced March 26 in Mount Holly.
The charges stem from a March 21, 2025, incident on Route 130 near Station Road, when Safar deliberately rammed a Florence Township patrol vehicle multiple times while an officer was responding to a crash. After his vehicle became disabled, Safar charged at officers with a knife, stabbing one in the chest area. The officer’s ballistic vest prevented more serious injuries. Two additional officers suffered non-life-threatening wounds before Safar was subdued and taken into custody.
- Virginia teen admits to attacking Florence Township officers
- Officer’s vest credited with preventing life-threatening injuries
- Defendant to serve 18 years in state prison under plea agreement
Investigators later determined Safar had caused the initial crash that drew police to the scene. During court proceedings, he admitted that he had been influenced by extremist propaganda prior to the attack.
Prosecutor Bradshaw condemned the violence, calling it “a senseless and cowardly act,” and vowed to hold accountable anyone who commits acts of violence or intolerance. The case was investigated by the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office, the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, and the Florence Township Police Department.