Prosecutor: Off-Duty NJ Transit Officer Arrested After Altercation

An off-duty NJ Transit police officer was arrested following an altercation with several individuals in Belmar early Friday morning, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced.

As a result of the altercation, NJ Transit Officer Kevin O’Brien, of Asbury Park, was charged with: 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.

The case background …

At 11:41 p.m. on Thursday, the Belmar Police Department responded to a disturbance in the area of 11th and Ocean avenues. Off-duty, O’Brien had gotten involved in an altercation with several individuals who were on a porch.

During the altercation, O’Brien struck a female. When the woman’s family members came to her aid, O’Brien’s weapon became dislodged. O’Brien attempted to regain 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.

— Edited press release from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office