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.
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.
O’Brien has been charged with the following offenses as a result of the altercation: Simple Assault, a disorderly personsoffense 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.
