Chief: Woman slashes officer a with bayonet, wounds him

MOUNTAIN BROOK, AL -- A woman has been arrested after slashing an Alabama policeman with an 18-inch bayonet.

Mountain Brook Police Chief Ted Cook said an officer found an elderly woman walking early Tuesday morning and learned she may have been the victim of domestic abuse.

Police officers went to a home to investigate. While searching the Mountain Brook home, about 6 miles southeast of Birmingham, a woman hiding under blankets suddenly emerged and slashed an officer with the long blade. Cook said the officer deflected the weapon with his forearm, which was cut, then wrestled the assailant to the ground.

The officer, whose name was not released, received several stiches.

Cook said his department was not releasing the name of the suspect until she is formally charged.