Police are on the lookout for a Newark NJ man accused of using an ax to attack two people at a popular mall in Jersey City, New Jersey.

The violent incident happened at the Newport Centre mall, a shopping complex located in downtown Jersey City, NJ.

According to authorities, the 24-year-old suspect brought an ax with him when he went to the shopping mall shortly before stores closed for the night. The suspect was reportedly attempting to confront his ex-girlfriend at a store where she works.

The suspect reportedly tried to gain access to the building via the store’s back door. When the store manager, a 30-year-old Elizabeth NJ woman, refused to grant the suspect entry into the building, the suspect allegedly became extremely agitated and attacked her with the ax.

Another store worker, a 23-year-old Carteret NJ man, witnessed the attack and tried to subdue the suspect. He managed to wrestle the ax out of the suspect’s hands, at which point the suspect fled the scene.

The two victims were taken to Jersey City Medical Center-Barnabas Health, where the female victim received treatment for severe head injuries and the male victim received medical treatment for minor injuries sustained in the assault. Afterwards, the female victim was listed in guarded condition and the male victim was listed in stable condition.

Jersey City police are conducting an active and ongoing investigation into the incident and pursuing leads to locate the suspect.

Authorities issued a warrant for the suspect’s arrest, as well as a restraining order because law enforcement has classified the incident as domestic violence.

If the suspect is located and apprehended, he would be subject to significant penalties. As set forth by N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(b), aggravated assault with a deadly weapon like a gun, a knife, or an ax is a second degree crime. A conviction for second degree aggravated assault could result in a sentence of 5-10 years in NJ State Prison.

For further information about this case, read the NJ.com article entitled “Man Sought for Attacking Two with Ax at Jersey City Mall, Cops Say.”