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A New Jersey nurse is wanted for allegedly attacking a coworker with a wrench and setting her on fire at a hospital, authorities said.
Nicholas Pagano, a 31-year-old contracted nurse at Hackensack University Medical Center, is being sought on attempted murder and aggravated arson charges in Monday’s attack, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said.
Pagano allegedly burned the 54-year-old coworker and struck her with a wrench in a break room. She had third-degree burns to her upper body, face and hands, as well as a cut to her head that required stitches, Musella said.
Pagano, who fled the hospital following the attack, is believed to be driving a 1998 white Jeep Grand Cherokee with black roof racks and a New Jersey license plate of S57 NJH.
“Nicholas Pagano should be considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached by members of the public,” Musella said in a statement.
Pagano, of West Deptford, is not a hospital employee, but has worked at Hackensack University Medical Center as a contracted nurse since mid-November, WPVI reported.
No one witnessed the alleged attack and a possible motive was unclear, a hospital spokesman told NJ.com. The facility ramped up security following the attack Monday.
The victim was initially treated at the hospital before being moved to another facility, Musella said. Her condition early Tuesday was unclear.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with her and her family,” hospital spokesman Ben Goldstein told NJ.com. “Hackensack Meridian Health strongly condemns any act of violence.”
Anyone with information about Pagano’s whereabouts should call Hackensack police at (201) 646-7777.
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