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A Monmouth County grand jury returned a six count indictment against a 22-year-old Woodbridge man accused of attempting to kill a city police officer on September 29, Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced in a news release Thursday afternoon.

Oswaldo Torres Quiroz, a Mexican national living in the township’s Iselin section, is charged with first degree attempted murder, attempt to disarm a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and two counts of unlawful possession of a weapon.

The incident occurred near 9:20 a.m. that Monday in front of 619 Main Street. Officers Carl Christie and Johnny Washington responded to a disorderly person call when they encountered the accused.

A struggle ensued when the officers tried to disarm Torres Quiroz of a steak knife, the news release said. During the altercation, Christie was stabbed in the torso but a bullet proof vest prevented puncturing.

According to the news release, “Torres Quiroz attempted to grab Officer Washington’s weapon” but “Washington ultimately discharged his weapon, striking Torres Quiroz in the abdomen.”

If convicted, Torres faces a 20-year sentence with no provisions for early release for the first degree attempted murder charge and an additional 26 plus years for the remainder of the charges.

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