Police officers arrested an Irvington NJ man who allegedly assaulted a pastor in Newark, New Jersey.

The attacked occurred just after 7:30 p.m. near the intersection of Broad Street and Court Street in Newark, NJ. The pastor was walking on Broad Street when the suspect reportedly approached him and started to yell at him. According to law enforcement, the suspect questioned the pastor’s religious beliefs and then hit him.

Newark police officers soon arrived at the scene and arrested the suspect.

The suspect, a 32-year-old Irvington resident, has been charged with simple assault. Authorities indicated that additional charges for aggravated assault could be forthcoming.

After being placed under arrest and charged with simple assault, the suspect was transported to East Orange General Hospital for a psychological evaluation.

Meanwhile, the victim was transported to Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark NJ so that he could be treated for minor injuries sustained in the attack.

This was the second time in seven days that a clergy member was attacked in Newark, NJ. On January 30, 2017, a 38-year-old man reportedly assaulted a bishop inside the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark.

For additional information about this case, see the NorthJersey.com article, “Another Clergy Member Attacked in Newark.”