Ridgefield Park Man With Machete Prompts School Shelter-in-Place

A bleeding man carrying a machete near Grant Elementary School in Ridgefield Park prompted authorities to place the school under a shelter-in-place order Wednesday morning, Oct. 7, according to Ridgefield Park police.

A passerby called 911 around 11:15 a.m. after spotting the man walking on Teaneck Road near the school and reporting that he appeared to be bleeding from his head, Ridgefield Park Police Capt. Justin Tress said.

Police Response

Grant Elementary School was immediately placed into a shelter-in-place while officers gathered more information. Sgt. Madan, who was conducting a security check at the school, located the man at the intersection of Orchard and Henry streets, adjacent to the school.

The man, identified as Elmer A. Sutujchitay, 32, of Ridgefield Park, was carrying a machete and was taken into custody without incident, Tress said. Police determined that Sutujchitay had been involved in a dispute with several people over a parking complaint.

Sutujchitay was transported to a hospital in police custody, with charges pending. Authorities said there was no threat to the school at any point, and the shelter-in-place order was lifted once the scene was cleared.