Standoff in Plumsted Over, Homicide Probe Continues

The stabbing death of a woman in Plumsted is under investigation while her husband of 20 years is hospitalized following a nearly half-day standoff with law enforcement at their home.

Arthur Haskoor, 50, was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune after being found unresponsive in the garage, according to information from the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office. The body of his wife, Susan Haskoor, 48, was found in their driveway with multiple stab wounds.

The circumstances that led to his condition aren't clear. Authorities say that a camera-equipped robot entered the house at about 2:30 PM, after he had been barricaded for several hours.

Officers responding to a domestic disturbance call on Evergreen Road found Mrs. Haskoor's body in the driveway and a note attached to the door, indicating that there were guns in the house and that he was prepared to kill police, authorities said.

Haskoor's son confirmed that he owned at least six firearms and had them inside the house, authorities said. The couple had two sons, age 17 and 18.

The incident forced a lockdown at New Egypt High School, closure of the Ocean County Library branch, and restriction of overhead airspace by the FAA. New Jersey State Police, the Ocean County Regional SWAT Team, detectives from the County Sheriff's and Prosecutor's offices, and Plumsted Police were engaged in the standoff.

The investigation is still open and charges are pending, authorities said.