Chief Praises Officers' Actions In Resolving Armed Standoff
On Friday, April 3, 2026, at 7:34 p.m., South Brunswick police officers were dispatched to a Kingston Lane home on a report of a woman having a mental health crisis. The caller said the woman had stabbed herself in the neck and abdomen and was trying to kill herself. Sergeant Brooke Labell, Sergeant Jarrid Harpster, and Officer Dale Hubner arrived at the home within minutes. The caller directed the officers to a back bathroom off the kitchen, where the woman had gone. Sergeant Harpster located the woman standing in the dark bathroom, still holding the knife. The woman was bleeding and told officers she wanted to end her life. Sergeant Harpster remained calm and began to negotiate with the woman to drop the knife. Officer Hubner covered as Sergeant Harpster negotiated with the woman. Sergeant Labell exited the home and ran to the rear of the residence, looking for another view into the darkened bathroom. Unable to get access to the rear of the home, she returned to the kitchen. Sergeant Labell then alternated negotiations with Sergeant Harpster, asking the woman if she preferred to speak with her. The woman gave limited responses and refused to drop the knife. After a few minutes, the woman began to exit the bathroom, still holding the knife in her right hand at waist level. Both sergeants asked the woman to drop the knife and stop moving towards them. The woman stopped speaking and stepped into the kitchen. The sergeants slowly backed up out of the kitchen, but the woman began to advance towards them. She was holding the knife at waist level, pointed at the sergeants. The woman closed to within 7 feet of the sergeants when Sergeant Labell deployed her Axon Taser. The taser shock temporarily immobilized the woman, causing her to drop to the floor. The sergeants immediately ran up to the woman and took the knife out of her hand. All three officers immediately provided medical treatment to the woman. The woman suffered self-inflicted stab wounds to her neck and abdomen. Monmouth Junction First Aid Squad and paramedics transported the woman to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. She is expected to make a full recovery.
Chief Raymond Hayducka said, "This woman was in crisis, and these officers went above and beyond to save her life. She was looking to force these officers into using deadly force. They worked as a team using their training and equipment to resolve this tense standoff." He added, "This is a case everyone needs to know about because a woman is alive today as a result of the actions of these officers."
Every South Brunswick police officer has received Integrating Communications, Assessment, and Tactics (ICAT) training, which teaches officers how to de-escalate situations involving people in mental health crises or those armed with weapons other than guns. Sergeant Harpster is an instructor for the county on the topic.
South Brunswick police also participate in the ARRIVE Together program that places a counselor in the police department. The counselor has been instrumental in assisting people with mental health issues and providing insights for officers on handling situations.
Chief Hayducka also praised the commitment of local officials in purchasing the tasers for every officer. "The Mayor and Council made a substantial investment when they purchased all these body-worn cameras and tasers. This is the second life that has been saved in an armed standoff with South Brunswick as a result of the use of a taser."
