Parsippany Police: Large Physical Disturbance Occurred in Parsippany Saturday Night July 20th

PARSIPPANY, NJ - The Parsippany Police Department is advising residents of a simple assault and large disturbance that occured on July 20th at 10:59pm.

On that Saturday night, officers responded to a report of a large physical disturbance in the roadway outside of a Roosevelt Ave residence. Upon the officers’ arrival, numerous individuals scattered and began running through the yards of surrounding residences. A 17-year-old juvenile victim was allegedly assaulted by one of the unidentified individuals who fled the scene prior to police arrival, resulting in a non-life-threatening injury to his head. The juvenile victim was transported to the Morristown Medical Center for his injuries. While checking the area for the fleeing individuals, a handgun magazine containing 8 bullets was located on the ground in front of one of the Roosevelt residences by Patrol Officer C. Yi. It is undetermined at this time if a handgun was used or displayed during the altercation.

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While the initial investigation was ongoing, officers observed a large group of individuals outside the 7-11 convenience store located at 31 North Beverwyck Road. Several males were detained in the parking lot to determine if they were involved in the Roosevelt Ave disturbance. While officers were speaking to the males, a white pickup truck entered the parking lot and the driver, later identified as Damon G. Soto, a 44-year-old male from Parsippany and father of one of the involved juveniles, exited his vehicle and struck one of the adult males in the face. Soto was immediately placed into custody by officers on scene.

Damon Soto was transported to Police Headquarters where he was charged with the following:

• 2C:12-1A(1) Simple Assault. A Disorderly Persons Offense. He was released pending a court appearance.

The magazine with ammunition was secured as evidence. The incident is currently under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call the Parsippany Police Department’s Investigative Branch at 973-263-4300.

The Parsippany Police also advise of the following: A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, this defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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