Elmwood Park NJ police used pepper spray when arresting a man who allegedly told officers to shoot him.

Elmwood Park police received a report of a disturbance at a home located on Summit Avenue. When police officers arrived at the scene, the suspect’s sisters directed them to a room on the second floor.

According to authorities, the suspect was inside the room and had two knives in his waistband.

The police officers entered the room, which prompted the suspect to begin screaming.

The suspect then allegedly attempted to kill himself with one of the knives. He reportedly reached into his waistband and took out a knife.

While police officers tried to persuade the suspect to put down the knife, he repeated the words “shoot me.”

The confrontation came to a head when the suspect allegedly walked toward one of the officers. At that moment, another officer pepper sprayed the suspect in the face. The officers restrained the suspect during the ensuing struggle.

Thankfully, the police officers were able to apprehend the suspect and secure the weapons without any harm coming to anyone.

Afterwards, the suspect was transported to Bergen Regional Medical Center in Paramus NJ for medical and psychiatric treatment.

According to Elmwood Park police, criminal charges against the suspect are pending. It is possible that the suspect will be charged with aggravated assault on a police officer and resisting arrest.

A conviction on aggravated assault charges could result in significant penalties. That’s because N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1b(5)(a) classifies aggravated assault on a police officer as a second degree, third degree, or fourth degree felony. Second degree aggravated assault is potentially punishable by a sentence of up to 10 years in NJ State Prison.

For additional information about this case, view the NJ.com article entitled “Elmwood Park Man Asked Cops to Shoot Him Before Arrest, Police Say.”