Salem Police shoot knife-wielding man in the buttocks

Salem Police shot a man in the buttocks after he allegedly stabbed another man before rushing officers with the knife.

Officers responded to a report of a stabbing near 31 Salem St. at about 1:45 a.m. on Tuesday. Officer found the 34-year-old victim suffering for stab wounds to his left forearm and neck are. He was stable, conscious and responsive enough to identify Brock Fleming as the attacker. Medical personnel took the victim to Massachusetts General Hospital for treatment.

Police started looking for Fleming, 21, who lives in the north Salem area. When two officers encountered Fleming on Walter Street, police say Fleming made a run at one of the officers with a knife. That officer drew his gun and Fleming turned to challenge the second officer.

At this point, the first officer fired his weapon, hitting Fleming in the buttocks. Fleming was taken to North Shore Medical Center for treatment where he underwent surgery for non-life-threatening injuries. Fleming is being charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon with serious bodily injury, attempted murder and mayhem for the Salem Street stabbing. He was also charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for the fight on Walter Street.

The officer who pulled the trigger has been placed on administrative leave as is Salem Police Department policy, The Essex County District Attorney’s Office and the Massachusetts State Police are conducting separate investigations.

Fleming could not be arraigned due to his surgery. Salem Police said that he may be arraigned Tuesday.