Police: Man charged after Vineland officer stabbed

VINELAND, NJ (WTXF) - Authorities say a man has been charged in connection with the stabbing of a Vineland police officer.

"It's a shock because it doesn't happen. This is actually a very quiet neighborhood," said Jose Perez. He's one of many neighbors along the 700 block of South Valley Avenue in Vineland who are stunned to hear a man who lives on their block is charged with attempted murder of a police officer. Skyfox flew over the scene where the Cumberland County Prosecutor says 26-year-old Johnny Flores stabbed an officer in the head and face. Neighbors describe a chaotic scene after it happened.

"I noticed there were dozens of cops. There must have been 20 vehicles out here and it was a big scene," said Perez.

It happened just before 2:00 Wednesday afternoon. Workers with the New Jersey Department of Human Services contacted police to respond to a home for a welfare check on a man there. Officers arrived to find family members at the home with Flores. That's when officials say a physical altercation broke out between police and Flores who allegedly stabbed one officer with a knife. A second officer was also hurt in the scuffle.

"Stuff like that doesn't happen here at all," said Perez.

The officer stabbed is in stable condition. Another officer suffered minor injuries during the scuffle and was treated and released from the hospital. Flores is held on $500,00 bail. No word on why officials were carrying out a welfare check on the man.