New Jersey man charged with attempted murder for shooting at police officers on Christmas Day.

A 69-year-old man from New Jersey has been charged with multiple offenses, including attempted murder, following an incident in which he allegedly shot at law enforcement officers responding to a domestic violence call on Christmas evening. The event unfolded at a residence on the 500 block of North Street in Mays Landing, as reported by local authorities.

According to a press release from the Hamilton Township Police Department, officers were dispatched to the scene around 9:15 p.m. after a woman reported that her husband, identified as Stephen Ponfi, was armed with both a knife and a gun. The woman’s account indicated that Ponfi had already discharged his firearm multiple times; fortunately, no injuries were reported as a result of the gunfire.

Upon arriving at the scene, officers established a perimeter and attempted to communicate with Ponfi. However, law enforcement reported that he refused to comply with instructions and subsequently fired his weapon in the direction of the responding officers. Fortunately, no officers were injured during this exchange of fire, and it remains unclear whether law enforcement returned fire.

Ponfi was ultimately taken into custody without further incident. He is currently being held at the Atlantic County Justice Facility in Mays Landing as of Saturday afternoon. Details surrounding the specific circumstances of the shooting and efforts to resolve the situation remain limited.

In addition to the attempted murder charge, Ponfi is facing several other serious charges, including possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, aggravated assault with a firearm, obstruction, harassment, and resisting arrest. Authorities continue to investigate the matter, and further information may be forthcoming as the case progresses through the legal system.

This incident underscores ongoing concerns related to domestic violence and the risks faced by law enforcement when responding to such situations. The community in Mays Landing is left grappling with the repercussions of this alarming event as authorities seek to ensure safety and justice.

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