Woman critical after unprovoked stabbing attack in Asbury Park on Labor Day: Cops

ASBURY PARK — A woman was stabbed on Asbury Avenue four blocks from the boardwalk on Labor Day afternoon in an unprovoked attack and was listed in critical condition at an area hospital Wednesday, authorities said.

Another woman was with the victim at the time of the assault that occurred on the street shortly after 2:30 p.m., police said.

Arrested at the scene was Travis A. Cavanaugh, 39, of Asbury Park, charged with attempted murder and weapons possession. He remains at Monmouth County Jail in Freehold Township.

The scene of the attack, the 500 block of Asbury Avenue, is a residential area. Trinity Episcopal Church is on the block.

When city police came upon the woman, bystanders were attempting to help the victim, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago said in a statement.

Santiago did not offer a motive. The victim and Cavanaugh did not know each other, authorities said.

But he said an investigation by his office's Major Crimes Bureau and the Asbury Park Police Department showed that Cavanaugh came up behind the woman and continued to stab her until a witness intervened.

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Santiago is urging anyone with information about the incident to call Detective Stephen Cavendish of the prosecutor's office at 800-533-7443 or Asbury Park Detective James Crawford at 732-774-1300.

Ken Serrano covers breaking news, crime and investigations. Reach him at kserrano@gannettnj.com .

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Woman critical after unprovoked stabbing attack in Asbury Park on Labor Day: Cops