Anthony G. Attrino
NJ Advance Media
UNION COUNTY — A Union County man was arrested Thursday for pointing a handgun at an on-duty Hillside police officer last month while making a music video he later posted to social media, authorities said.
Kevin M. Vincent, 22, made the video April 21 in a home on Leo Street and the officer was outside sitting in his patrol car, according to Det. Sgt. Natalie Ogonowski.
“While recording a music video at a Leo Street residence, Vincent pointed what appeared to be a black firearm at a Hillside police officer while he was in a marked police vehicle,” Ogonowski said in an email.
The officer was unaware at the time that a gun had been pointed at him.
“Vincent then posted the music video to Instagram, where it was viewed and reported to the Hillside Police Department,” the detective said.
Investigators identified the suspect as Vincent and arrested him about 9 a.m. Thursday in Union Township, Ogonowski said.
Vincent was charged with aggravated assault and released pending a court hearing in Superior Court of Union County.
“We would not tolerate such conduct on a good day, but to put one of our officers in the sights of any handgun, imitation or otherwise, while we’re trying to do our jobs during a pandemic makes this case exceptionally egregious,” Hillside Police Chief Vincent Ricciardi said in a statement. “I look forward to a successful prosecution.”