NEWPORT, R.I. -- A Newport woman has been arrested on charges she swung a knife at a police officer, cutting the officer's hand, Newport Police Sgt. Christopher Hayes said.
The police, alerted by Newport Hospital, responded to 312 Broadway just after midnight for a report of a suicidal woman.
Officers climbed a fire escape to reach the woman's third-floor apartment and made contact through a partially open window, Hayes said.
The woman, identified as 42-year-old Margaret Wright, "was very agitated," pacing around the room and threatening to hang herself. She told officers she had a gun, Hayes said.
As officers entered the apartment, Wright grabbed a kitchen knife and swung it, striking Officer Christine Poncia in the chest. The knife glancing off the vest, cutting Poncia's left thumb.
Poncia was treated at Newport Hospital.
Wright was also taken to Newport Hospital for observation. She faces a felony charge of assault on a police officer.