Police officer shoots man who allegedly attacked woman and tried to rob her at knifepoint in Malden

The statement said officers responded to the area of ​​260 Eastern Ave. around 9:15 a.m. on a report of a disturbance. When they arrived, they found Long allegedly involved in a confrontation with the woman. “This woman and a witness who called 911 also reported that the defendant was allegedly in possession of a knife,” the statement said.

Additional officers arrived at the scene and attempted to speak with Long. He refused to put down a number of items he was carrying, the statement said. He then dropped his belongings, pulled a kitchen knife from his pocket and walked toward one of the officers, prosecutors said.

“Police used non-lethal Tasers, but they were ineffective. Another officer on scene shot and struck the suspect,” the statement said.

Long responded to the scene and was taken to a Boston hospital, where he is currently in stable condition, the statement said. The attacked 43-year-old Malden woman and a police officer were also taken to an area hospital where they were treated and later released.

Investigators determined the woman was walking in the Eastern Avenue area when Long allegedly threw a cup at her and then hit her in the head, the statement said. The woman tried to record Long with her iPad, but he took it and then pulled out a knife.

Long allegedly continued walking down Eastern Avenue and threatened another witness with a knife, the statement said.

The incident is under investigation.

A large crime scene was identified in the area of ​​the alleged attack and shooting.

Police cordoned off an area in front of Malden Trans Inc., where a pile of bloody clothing and a laptop were seen.

The entrance to the Northern Strand Community Trail, which runs parallel to Eastern Avenue, was also closed for hours as a scooter, a small bag and a pair of gloves appeared to be tied to the scene with crime scene tape.

A witness, who asked not to be identified by his last name, Graham, said he was waiting at the nearby Goodyear Auto Service on Eastern Avenue around 9:30 a.m. when he heard two gunshots and ran out of the building.

He said he saw a female police officer talking on her radio and a “large man” lying on the ground.

“He was bleeding very heavily,” Graham said. “It looked like it was coming from the shoulder area.”

Graham said the man reacted when he saw him lying on the ground. The man estimated he was about 6 feet tall and weighed 220 pounds.

Paula Osborne, who has lived in the area for two years, was on her porch around 9 a.m. when a police cruiser pulled up to Malden Trans Inc.

“The officer jumped out of the car as soon as he hit the brake,” Osborne said.

She saw a woman in the parking lot talking to police officers and making “gestures” with her hands like fists, Osborne said.

“I thought there had been a fight and she had told them,” Osborne said. “While she was talking, seven police cars arrived.”

As police approached the area, at least seven officers surrounded a man in the transportation company’s parking lot, according to Osborne.

“They were screaming at him, ‘Drop the knife!’ ‘Drop the knife!'” Osborne said.

From her vantage point, Osborne couldn’t see what the man was holding, but he saw him waving things back and forth with both hands.

Osborne said she heard about five shots, but “he just wouldn’t stop,” waving his hands and “walking toward” the officers.

“He didn’t go down,” Osborne said. “The noise… it went pop, pop, pop. It was just terrible.”

John R. Ellement and Mike Bello of the Globe Staff contributed to this report.

Spencer Buell can be reached at [email protected]. follow him @SpencerBuellAva Berger can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her @Ava_Berger_. Adam Sennott can be reached at [email protected].