Howell Police: No Police Charges In Attack On Referees

HOWELL, NJ -- Howell Township police say they are not filing charges in connection with an attack on a referee after a high school ice hockey game Sunday at Ice World in Howell.

Howell police released a statement Thursday afternoon on the incident, in which two referees said they were attacked by parents after a game between Howell High School and Manalapan High School. The incident occurred after a game that was reportedly heated.

The referees said the parents went into the referees’ locker room and attacked them, according to a report in the Asbury Park Press.

“The Howell Township Police Department is concluding its investigation into the assault that took place at Ice World in Howell on 2/7/16. The evidence in this case does not support criminal complaints being filed by the Howell Township Police Department. All involved parties have been referred to the Howell Township Municipal Court to sign criminal complaints at their discretion,” the statement distributed by Sgt. Christian Antunez said.

“Furthermore, it is important to note that in this specific case the offense committed is titled a “simple assault” under New Jersey law. A simple assault in New Jersey is classified as a “disorderly persons offense,” therefore, it does not rise to a level of severity in which a police officer can make an arrest without having actually witnessed the offense take place. There are exceptions to this rule but this case does not qualify as one. Also, the enhanced criminal penalties for assaulting school employees do not apply in this case.”

The Press report said the game ended in a tie after a Manalapan player hit the side of the rink headfirst after a Howell player delivered a hit. The Manalapan player was knocked unconscious, according to the report.