A man died after being struck by a “pointed object” Saturday in Kearny, hours before a person of interest in the killing barricaded himself inside a nearby home where a fire originated, officials said.
Police responded Saturday evening to a report of an injured man in the area of Kearny Avenue and Johnston Avenue.
The man, who has not been identified, appeared to have been struck by a pointed object and later died from his injuries, the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office said in a statement.
A person of interest then barricaded himself inside a Kearny Avenue home, officials said.
After Hudson County Regional SWAT responded to negotiate with him early Sunday morning, a fire erupted in the home, the prosecutor’s office said.
The man, whose identity has not been released, left the home armed with knives after the fire was extinguished. He was taken into custody, officials said Sunday afternoon.
Residents were asked to avoid the area of Kearny and Johnston avenues Sunday due to ongoing fire and police activity, the Kearny Fire Department posted on Facebook.
On Saturday night, Kearny police issued a shelter-in-place advisory for residents who live on the street.
The investigation remains ongoing, and no additional information was available Sunday afternoon.