Police say Ruben Barreo stabbed an officer Wednesday night in Springfield. (Springfield Police)
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — A Springfield Police officer's protective trauma plate is what saved his life when he was stabbed by a suspect Wednesday night, the department said.
That officer is recovering with non-life-threatening injuries—and Ruben Barrero, 39 of Springfield, is charged with armed assault with intent to murder, arson, two counts of assault and battery on a police officer, and resisting arrest.
MassLive reported that a judge ordered Barrero to undergo a mental health exam.
The stabbing happened around 9:35 p.m. Wednesday, when officers arrived at Barrero's Vermont Street home, which was on fire. Police say Barrero set that fire himself.
They found Barrero nearby on Island Pond Road, but he ran, before turning and attempting to stab one of the officers chasing him in the chest.
"The knife struck the officer's trauma plate, likely saving his life," the department wrote in a release Thursday.
Barrero also attacked two other officers, saying "I stabbed one officer tonight and I will stab another," before they were able to get him in handcuffs.