Dec 11, 2007 7:03 pm US/Eastern
Suspect In Paramus Mall Stabbing Arrested
Victim Rushed To Local Hospital; Listed In Serious Condition
Reporting
Jay Dow
PARAMUS, N.J. (CBS) ―
A man was stabbed at the Paramus Park Mall in front of shoppers on Monday night. His suspected assailant was arrested around 1:15 a.m. in Passaic, according to Deputy Police Chief Richard Cary.
It's not yet clear as to how the incident began, or what the motive was, but witnesses say around 9:30 p.m. the man staggered into the building and collapsed on the floor near the food court.
The 9-1-1 calls, obtained exclusively by CBS 2, came in at around 9:15 p.m. Monday night about an unidentified 18-year-old boy with a knife blade lodged in his neck.
Operator: How is he stabbed?
Caller: Pretty bad, he's bleeding out.
Paramus detectives were able to speak briefly with the victim before he was rushed to the hospital for immediate emergency surgery.
According to officials, the victim identified his attacker as 19-year-old Andrew Kazmierczak of the Bronx. Kazmierczak has since confessed to the stabbing, officials said.
"There is a history between the two individuals. They had apparently had a dispute over a period of several months," said Cary.
Kazmierczak was living temporarily with friends in Passaic, police said. That's where detectives found him early Tuesday morning.
"The suspect was found hiding underneath a mattress in one of the bedrooms," said Paramus Police Department Captain Kevin Smith.
Despite the violence that broke out between the two individuals, Paramus police insist the outbreak is an isolated incident.
"This was a chance meeting between two individuals," said Paramus Mayor James Tedesco.
Shoppers told CBS 2 that whatever happened wouldn't deter them from shopping for the holiday season.
"I do a lot of work in New York City. If I can march in the bulls-eye of the terrorist target, I can certainly come to a mall and do my holiday shopping," said Ira Sessler of Livingston.
"I'll probably still come, but only because I need to. I'll be watching my back," said Silvana Panfili of Saddle Brook.
Great advice for wherever your shopping destination.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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