By: Richard L. Smith
A 34-year-old Irvington man, Karim M. Brunson, was taken into custody after a nearly 24-hour standoff with police, according to a statement released by Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, and Irvington Public Safety Director Tracy Bowers.
The standoff began on September 4, around 4:00 p.m., when Irvington police were dispatched to the 300 block of Nesbit Terrace in response to reports of an armed individual.
Upon arrival, officers encountered Brunson, who barricaded himself inside a residence.
Police immediately secured the area and requested backup from the Essex County Sheriff's Office.
The Sheriff’s Tactical Response Team (TRT) arrived on the scene, and trained negotiators worked through the night attempting to resolve the situation.
While negotiations were ongoing, officers from both the Irvington Police Department and the Sheriff's Office safely evacuated nearby residents with the assistance of the Essex County Prosecutor’s Victim Witness Advocacy Unit.
The standoff stretched into Thursday, with the Newark Police SWAT Team joining the effort. The situation concluded peacefully at approximately 2:10 p.m. when Brunson was taken into custody.
He now faces charges of harassment and weapons possession and is being held at the Essex County Correctional Facility, awaiting an appearance in Essex County Central Judicial Processing Court.
Prosecutor Stephens commended the coordination among the various law enforcement agencies involved, highlighting the professionalism and restraint that led to a resolution without injury.
He also expressed gratitude to the healthcare professionals at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and the suspect's family members who assisted during the standoff.
Brunson's case will proceed in Essex County Superior Court.