The Associated Press
SOMERVILLE, N.J. (AP) - A man who allegedly attacked a police officer with a knife and dog was charged Wednesday with attempted murder, the Somerset County prosecutor said.
The Franklin Township officer shot and wounded the man and the dog, both of whom are expected to recover, said Prosecutor Wayne J. Forrest. The officer used appropriate force, based on an initial investigation, Forrest said.
The incident happened about 10 a.m. Tuesday when Officer Steven Biancamano responded to a 911 call from the residence of Manuel Bacote Ortiz. The caller hung up before giving a reason for the call, but officers are required to check, Forrest said.
The prosecutor gave this account:
Ortiz answered the door while holding a butcher knife, along with a Rottweiler, and repeatedly shouted, “I’ll kill you.” The officer retreated, ordered Ortiz to drop the knife and drew his handgun. Ortiz rushed at the officer with the knife raised while the officer continued to tell him to stop.
The officer fired one shot, hitting Ortiz in the leg. Ortiz continued forward, and the officer shot again, hitting him in the abdomen, and Ortiz fell to the ground. The dog attempted to bite the officer, who fired another shot, striking the dog, and it ran back into the house.