FREEHOLD – An off-duty New Jersey Transit police officer was arrested following an altercation with several individuals in Belmar early Friday morning, announced Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.
Police say at approximately 11:41 p.m. Thursday evening, the Belmar Police Department responded to a disturbance in the area of 11th and Ocean Avenues.
Off-duty New Jersey Transit Police Officer Kevin O’Brien, of Asbury Park, was arrested after an altercation ensued with several individuals who were on a porch.
During the altercation, Officer O’Brien struck a female who had been on the porch. When the woman’s family members came to her aid, O’Brien’s weapon became dislodged.
O’Brien attempted to re-gain possession of his firearm when the gun accidentally discharged. There were no injuries as a result of the weapon firing. The woman suffered minor injuries as a result of being struck by O’Brien.
Police say O’Brien has been charged with the following offenses as a result of the altercation: Simple Assault, a disorderly persons offense and Disorderly Conduct, a petty disorderly persons offense.
O’Brien was also charged with a local ordinance violation as a result of the discharge of a firearm within city limits according to authorities.