NEWARK, NJ – Two Newark police officers are recovering after being stabbed by a suspect on Thursday.
On Thursday, January 5, Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka and Public Safety Director Fritz G. Fragé announced the arrest of Michael D. Cherry, 32, of East Orange.
Police responded to a call of domestic violence and a stabbing in progress at approximately 4:40 p.m. in the 600 block of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard to an apartment building.
As a result of the assault on a woman within a condominium, a male neighbor intervened and was stabbed by the suspect after the incident spilled into the hallway. In attempting to disarm the suspect, two officers were stabbed.
One officer was stabbed in the left side of the back and his right hand. Another officer was stabbed in his right arm. During the incident, a third officer was injured and treated for a laceration to his knee after being kicked by the suspect.
All three officers were transported to University Hospital for treatment and are each reportedly in stable condition.
Cherry was arrested without further incident at the scene on charges of attempted murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, disarming a law enforcement officer, and making terroristic threats.
Newark Police Officer Ramon Aguirre was released from University Hospital on Saturday. The other two officers have not been identified.
“We are relieved that the officers’ injuries in this incident were non-life-threatening and that the suspect was arrested without further incident. These officers showed both immense bravery and restraint that were unmatched,” Mayor Baraka said. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the officers and their families. The Newark Office of Violence Prevention and Trauma Recovery also responded to this incident and is providing needed assistance and resources to the civilian victims in this incident.”