An African man with gang links has been charged with stabbing a police officer in the chest and back with a 12-inch knife after an alleged street fight in western Sydney.
Musa Musa, 20, allegedly stabbed the 34-year-old male constable in the chest in Doonside just after 12.30am on Friday as police arrested him following reports five men had tried to break into a home armed with machetes and knives.
He was taken to Blacktown Police Station and charged with wound police officer executing duty reckless as to actual bodily harm, wound person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, use offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention, custody of knife in public place – subsequent offence, and assault police officer in execution of duty without actual bodily harm.
The officer was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics at the scene before being taken to Westmead Hospital where he is in a stable condition with two alleged stab wounds.
Police said that officers were called to reports five men were fighting, and allege that four fled in a hatchback while one left on foot. A pursuit was terminated when the suspects’ car hit a pole and the occupants ran away, and police allege the stabbing occurred when officers spotted Musa and tried to arrest him.
Police arrested two more men, 18 and 21, on Parkwood Street, Plumpton, and on Friday afternoon charged the younger man with custody of knife in public place, stalk/intimidate intend fear physical etc harm (personal), armed with intent commit indicatable offence and affray.
The 21-year-old remains in custody, while a manhunt is underway for the other two alleged offenders.
NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Gavin Wood said the men in custody “have some linkage to gangs” and said police were investigating why the men allegedly targeted the home.
Six knives and machetes were allegedly found, and Wood said the knife used to allegedly stab the officer was 12 inches long.
“They were big knives. Certainly bigger than what you would say is a kitchen knife,” he said.
“People who want to carry knives and use knives – it is abhorrent and we will not stand by and allow it.”
Wood also commended the injured officer for his “incredible bravery”, noting that he and his partner completed the arrest despite the alleged stabbing.
Header image: The alleged attacker being arrested, left, and taken into a police station, right (NSW Police)
