East Orange Man Arrested After Stabbing 2 Cops In Newark: Police

NEWARK, NJ — An East Orange man was charged with attempted murder and other offenses after he allegedly stabbed several people in Newark last week, including two police officers, authorities recently announced.

Michael D. Cherry, 32, faces 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, according to the Newark Department of Public Safety.

Newark police released the following statement about the incident, which took place on Jan. 5:

“At approximately 4:40 p.m., police responded to an apartment building on the 600-block of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard on a call of domestic violence and a stabbing in progress. A male suspect had reportedly assaulted a woman inside an apartment before the incident spilled into the hallway, where a male neighbor intervened and was stabbed by the suspect. Both officers were also stabbed while attempting to disarm the suspect. One officer was stabbed in the left side of his back and in his right hand. The second officer was stabbed in his right arm. A third officer was injured and treated for a laceration to the knee after being kicked by the suspect during the incident.”

All three officers were transported to University Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, and are each reportedly in stable condition, police said.

The Newark Office of Violence Prevention and Trauma Recovery also responded to the scene, and is providing needed assistance and resources to the civilian victims in this incident, Mayor Ras Baraka said.

The mayor, acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore Stephens and Newark Public Safety Director Fritz Fragé praised the involved officers for showing both “bravery” and “restraint” during the encounter.

“We cannot thank these brave Newark Police Officers enough for their selfless restraint in the face of imminent danger,” Fragé said. “Their actions led to the safe arrest of this armed suspect.”

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