Prosecutor: Police shoot man wielding knife in "threatening manner"

Police shot a Jackson man who wielded a knife when authorities responded to a disturbance at his house, Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato announced Sunday.

According to preliminary details released by the prosecutor’s office, police responded to a 911 call placed shortly before 8 p.m. Saturday reporting a man armed with a knife at a Laurel Avenue residence holding individuals hostage.

When Jackson Township Police Department officers arrived at the house, they entered the residence and encountered Travis Van Pelt, 22, wielding a knife in a “threatening manner,” the release said.

“The responding officer(s) fired upon Van Pelt striking him at least one time,” according to the release. “While encountering Van Pelt, officers also located other occupants within the residence.”

The man was then transported to an area hospital, where he remains in stable condition as of Sunday morning, authorities said.

The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit is leading the investigation with assistance from the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department CSI and with full cooperation of the Jackson Township Police Department in accordance with state Office of the Attorney General guidelines, the release said.

Authorities have not released any additional information.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Det. Lindsay Woodfield of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office at (732) 929-2027.