Man Charged In 'Violent Attack' On Two North Jersey Firefighters, Police Say

PATERSON, NJ — A Paterson man faces aggravated assault charges after officials say he attacked two members of the city Fire Department who came to his aid when he had trouble breathing.

The incident happened Sunday morning between 4:30 and 5:30 a.m., police said. The firefighters, who were working as EMTs, arrived at a residence in the 100 block of 16th Avenue for a man experiencing difficulty breathing.

According to officials, the EMTs put the man on a gurney to carry him out of the building, but he asked to be taken back off. The firefighters did so and began to leave when the man "allegedly assaulted the two victims, punching one repeatedly and kneeing the other, before running away," Paterson Police said in a statement.

Both EMTs had minor injuries, and were treated at St. Joseph's Medical Center.

After an investigation, detectives arrested 25-year-old Darian Jackson Jr. on Wednesday and charged him with two counts of aggravated assault.

Paterson Police Officer-in-Charge Patrick Murray praised the detectives for making a quick arrest.

“Any attack on a public official performing their duty is unacceptable,” Murray said. “These two firefighters took an oath to help anyone in need, which is exactly what they did for this suspect before they were violently attacked and assaulted."

The Passaic County Prosecutor's Office is the lead prosecutor on the case.

If convicted, Jackson faces a prison sentence of three to five years and a $15,000 fine for each third-degree charge. His attorney information was not immediately available.