A domestic disturbance in Jersey City on March 1 escalated into a three-hour barricade that ended with a five-year-old girl rescued unharmed and a 33-year-old man in custody.
The incident took place on Claremont Avenue between approximately 12 noon and 3:30 p.m., according to city officials. Officers from the Jersey City Police Department (JCPD) responded to the initial call and were later joined by the department’s Emergency Service Unit (ESU).
- Officers from the Jersey City Police Department rescued a five-year-old girl unharmed after a March 1 domestic incident on Claremont Avenue escalated into a three-hour barricade.
- Kevin Evans, 33, of Newark, allegedly forced entry by breaking a fire escape window, assaulted a 39-year-old woman, threatened her life, and barricaded himself inside with her child before surrendering.
- Evans now faces charges including home invasion burglary, robbery causing bodily injury, aggravated assault, criminal restraint, terroristic threats, endangering the welfare of a child, criminal mischief, defiant trespass, bail jumping, and failure to allow fingerprinting.
Officers Find Injured Woman Inside Apartment
Police arrived at the residence after receiving a report of a domestic disturbance. Inside, officers encountered a 39-year-old woman who was visibly distraught and bleeding from the mouth.
According to a JCPD press release, the woman said her ex-boyfriend forced entry into her apartment by breaking a window from the fire escape. She reported that he struck her multiple times, prevented her from leaving, and threatened her life. In one account, she told officers he threatened to kill her.
The suspect was later identified as Kevin Evans, 33, of Newark.
During the altercation, the woman was able to escape from the apartment. Evans then locked her out and barricaded himself inside while her five-year-old daughter remained in the residence.
Emergency Service Unit Forces Entry
Officers reported hearing the child crying from inside the apartment. With the threat deemed imminent, members of the Emergency Service Unit made a forced entry.
The girl was located unharmed and immediately reunited with her mother. Both declined medical treatment at the scene.
As officers cleared the apartment, Evans fled to the fire escape. Officers positioned outside observed him break into a vacant apartment one floor above, where he barricaded himself again.
Three Hours of Negotiation
The ESU, which includes certified crisis and hostage negotiators, maintained continuous communication with Evans for nearly three hours.
The standoff ended when Evans voluntarily surrendered. He was taken into custody and transported to a local hospital for evaluation.
A photographer for the Jersey City Times captured images of the arrest as the situation concluded.
Charges Filed Against Newark Man
Evans faces multiple charges, including:
- Home invasion burglary
- Robbery causing bodily injury
- Aggravated assault
- Criminal restraint with risk of serious bodily injury
- Terroristic threats
- Endangering the welfare of a child
- Criminal mischief
- Defiant trespass
- Bail jumping
- Failure to allow fingerprinting
Officials Describe High-Risk Situation
Mayor James Solomon addressed the incident in a public statement.
“This incident could have ended in tragedy,” Solomon said. “Because of the decisive, disciplined response of our police officers and Emergency Service Unit, a young child was brought to safety and a dangerous individual was taken into custody. This is exactly the level of professionalism and preparedness our residents deserve.”
Acting Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose also issued a statement.
“Our officers entered a volatile and unpredictable situation with a child at risk and resolved it without further injury,” Ambrose said. “Their coordinated response secured a safe resolution in a highly volatile situation that carried significant risk of serious harm. ESU’s crisis negotiation training and tactical execution prevented escalation and protected innocent lives.”
The name of the five-year-old girl was not disclosed.
The Jersey City Police Department continues to encourage residents to report suspicious activity. Anyone with information related to this or other incidents is asked to contact the department or submit tips anonymously via email at [email protected] or by calling 855-JCP-TIPS.
