It’s a chilling scene that unfolded just days before Halloween in Hoboken, New Jersey. A young woman, later identified as 28-year-old Amanda Hernandez, was seen wielding a butcher knife and threatening people near a McDonald’s. What started as a typical autumn evening quickly spiraled into a chaotic and frightening spectacle.
Witness Accounts Paint a Disturbing Picture
“She was flinging a kitchen knife, talking all kinds of crazy,” a witness, who wished to remain anonymous, recounted to officers. “She kept saying things like, ‘I’ll stick you, you don’t think I’ll do it?’ It was terrifying.” The witness, who had been walking with his wife, described how Hernandez was engaged in a heated altercation with a man, waving the knife menacingly close to him.
Another witness, a young woman who encountered Hernandez outside a nearby Starbucks, described her demeanor as “aggressive” and “unhinged.” She shared with police that Hernandez seemed to be spoiling for a fight, muttering threats under her breath.
Bodycam Footage Captures the Chaos
Fortunately, Hoboken Police Department officers arrived swiftly on the scene, their bodycams capturing the volatile situation. The footage shows officers attempting to de-escalate the situation, urging Hernandez to drop the weapon and remain calm. However, she continued to resist arrest, spitting at one officer and yelling obscenities.
“Stop fighting! Stop resisting!” an officer can be heard shouting as they struggle to subdue Hernandez. The footage paints a picture of a chaotic scene, with bystanders watching in disbelief as the events unfold.
Police officers arresting a woman
Image description: Two police officers struggling to arrest a woman, highlighting the volatile situation.
Hernandez Faces Multiple Charges
Following her arrest, Hernandez was booked on a slew of charges, including aggravated assault, throwing bodily fluids at a law enforcement officer, unlawful possession of a weapon, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, and terroristic threats. Her outburst serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable and often volatile nature of human behavior.
The incident, though concerning, ultimately concluded with no injuries to bystanders or officers. It serves as a testament to the bravery and quick thinking of the Hoboken Police Department, who successfully apprehended a dangerous individual and restored order to the streets.