Man accused in Jersey City attack to face upgraded charges

JERSEY CITY (WABC) -- Jersey City police plan to file upgraded charges against a man accused of beating his ex-girlfriend and pushing her out of a third-floor window with her baby in her arms.

Nineteen-year-old Frederico Bruno was charged with aggravated assault after being found Friday night, several hours after the alleged attack occurred. But Lt. Edgar Martinez, a city police spokesman, tells The Jersey Journal (http://bit.ly/P6Omuc) that Bruno will be charged with criminal attempted homicide on Monday.

Police say Bruno let himself into the woman's apartment and attacked her and another woman early Friday.

Bruno allegedly stabbed both women and pushed his ex-girlfriend into an air conditioner, causing her and her 3-month-old child to go through a window and fall three stories.

The woman and child both remained hospitalized Sunday in critical condition.

Eyewitness News was in Belleville when police took him into custody.

Law enforcement sources told Eyewitness News a tip led them to Watsessing Avenue in Belleville.

Bruno's brother Jeff Agnant lives there.

Belleville Police called in the Newark Swat team who then went door-to-door after evacuating the building. They found Bruno hiding in the refrigerator. His brother said he can't believe it came to all of this.

"Emotions are high right now  that's what matters most is the baby," said Agnant.

It all started shortly before 7 a.m. on Friday. According to police, Bruno was hiding in his ex-girlfriend's third floor Rutgers Avenue apartment. She walked in with a female friend, and according to investigators, Bruno stabbed the friend multiple times. Then police say he stabbed his ex-girlfriend numerous times before he threw her out the window with their 3-month-old son. However, the brutal attack didn't end there.

"That wasn't the end-he beat her again with a table," said Jersey City Police Chief Tom Comey. A video shows the first responders' efforts to treat one of the adult victims and the 3-month-old. A firefighter cradled the child in his hands, rushing him away from the scene. The Police Chief vowed that his officers would not rest unto Bruno was in custody. On Friday night he was.

The Jersey City Police Department released a statement saying, "After an extensive manhunt throughout the day and responding to numerous tips, Frederico Bruno was apprehended at approximately 8:00 p.m Friday evening in Belleville, NJ by members of the Jersey City Police Department, Belleville Police Department and Newark Emergency Services Unit. All agencies involved worked tirelessly to apprehend Mr. Bruno."

Jeff Agnan still insists he never saw this coming, and that he is in shock.

All three victims are in critical condition, and the three-month-old boy is said to be fighting for his life.

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