Toms River Man Hospitalized, Suspect Sought in Overnight Stabbing

A stabbing left one township man in a trauma center Saturday night, though details are sketchy on the incident after witnesses apparently did not cooperate with police who came to investigate.

Toms River police responded to Massachusetts Avenue near West Hickory St. on a report that a male was stabbed at about 10:30 p.m. Saturday night, Chief Michael Mastronardy said.  

The victim, Pedro Echevarria, 27, of Toms River, and a 23-year-old male friend of the victim, also from Toms River, gave "various versions of what transpired," Mastronardy said. 

Neither wanted police involvement, said Mastronardy, but medical care was requested.  

The victim, who was stabbed twice – once in the back and once in the lower abdomen – was transported to Jersey Shore Medical Center in Neptune.  

Mastronardy said that apparently, there was a confrontation with an unknown suspect or suspects, and after stabbing the victim, the suspect fled north on Massachusetts Avenue towards Route 70.

Officer Adam Worth and Detectives Jennifer Grob and Robert O’Neill are investigating along with the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department.  

Anyone with information can contact Toms River detectives at 732-349-0150 ext. 1319.