Hunterdon County Prosecutor Anthony P. Kearns, III and Readington Township Police Chief Sebastian Donaruma announced the arrest of Marcus E. Cook, Jr., age 23, of Whitehouse.

According to Chief Donaruma, "On Saturday February 23, 2013 at 9:23 pm, Readington Township Police were dispatched to the Whitehouse Motel for a domestic assault in progress, weapons involved, and shots fired. Officers arrived at the location and determined that an individual indentified as Marcus E. Cook Jr., a tenant of the motel, was combative and appeared to be intoxicated."

Prosecutor Kearns said, "Police learned that Marcus E. Cook, Jr. allegedly attacked a family member after demanding money. The family member had gone to the hotel and offered to purchase a meal for Mr. Cook who demanded cash instead of food. It is alleged that the family member refused to give Mr. Cook cash and was then assaulted. It was also learned that the victim of the assault was an off-duty Passaic County Sheriff Officer. The off-duty officer had discharged his firearm during the altercation when Cook attempted to strike him with a blunt object. There were no injuries as a result of the firearm discharge."

During the investigation as officers attempted to question Mr. Cook about the incident, a struggle ensued and Cook attacked the investigating officer. Sgt. Carlos Ferreiro was eventually able to gain control of Cook and placed him under arrest. While Cook was taken into custody, he continually spit and threw blood on the officers. He also purposely urinated on the floor in police headquarters.

Marcus E. Cook Jr. was charged with Resisting Arrest, Aggravated Assault on
a Police Officer, Exposing a Law Enforcement Officer to Bodily Fluids, Obstruction
of Justice, and Criminal Mischief. He was lodged in the Hunterdon County Jail in lieu of $35,000 bail.

The off-duty officer is considered a victim of domestic violence, and the release of victims identities are prohibited under the domestic violence act. At this time, it appears that the victim, who is authorized to carry an off-duty sidearm, discharged the weapon accidentally, while drawing the weapon during a physical altercation.

The incident is still under investigation by the Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office and the Readington Township Police Department.

The filing of a criminal complaint is merely a step in the criminal justice process. The defendant is presumed innocent until the matter is resolved in a court of law.