Two Teens Charged After Machete And Knife Fight In Bergen County

Prosecutors say an altercation led to a 16-year-old being stabbed in the torso.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 2:12am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a machete blade, the metal surface reflecting a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic.A recent wave of violent altercations involving weapons like machetes and knives in Hackensack raises concerns about public safety and the need for effective intervention programs.Hackensack Today

Two teens have been arrested in connection with a fight involving a knife and machete that took place in Hackensack, New Jersey last month. Prosecutors say a 16-year-old pulled out a machete and swung it at 18-year-old Joaquin Morris Jr., who then pulled out a knife and stabbed the teen in the torso. Both teens have been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Why it matters

Violent altercations involving weapons like machetes and knives raise concerns about public safety and the need for effective intervention programs to address youth violence in the community.

The details

According to prosecutors, the incident occurred around 3 p.m. on March 24 at the intersection of Banta Place and State Street in Hackensack. Police responded to a report of an injured person and found the 16-year-old stabbing victim, who was taken to the hospital in stable condition. Detectives determined that the teen had pulled out a machete and swung it at Joaquin Morris Jr., who then pulled out a knife and stabbed the teen in the torso.

  • The incident occurred around 3 p.m. on March 24, 2026.
  • Joaquin Morris Jr. was arrested and taken to the Bergen County Jail last Friday.
  • The 16-year-old victim was also charged, released from the hospital, and taken to the Bergen County Juvenile Detention Facility last Friday.

The players

Joaquin Morris Jr.

An 18-year-old Hackensack resident who was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and other weapons charges.

The 16-year-old victim

A Hackensack teen who was also charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon for allegedly swinging a machete at Joaquin Morris Jr.

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What’s next

The judge will determine whether to release the 16-year-old from juvenile detention at a future court hearing.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing challenge of youth violence and the need for community-based programs to address the root causes and prevent such altercations involving dangerous weapons.