Off-duty officer makes arrest in stabbing

An off-duty police officer was driving south on Broad Street in his own car Saturday afternoon when he saw one man grab another and stab him in the head, police reported yesterday.

As the stabbed man ran north to get away from his assailant, Jason Sommerville, an officer assigned to the 39th District, did a quick turnaround and left his car in the 2500 block of North Broad Street near Cumberland. At this point, the knife-wielder began "repeatedly stabbing the victim in the face, chest and body," a police public-affairs officer said.

Sommerville drew his pistol and ordered the man to drop the knife. A struggle ensued, and Sommerville was able to subdue the man and take him into custody without resorting to a firearm.

A witness to the attack used a cell phone to call in police backup and support.

Police identified the victim as Matthew Bullock, 32. He was taken to Temple University Hospital, where he died in surgery a few minutes after 6 p.m. Police could not provide an address for Bullock last night.

The assailant was identified as Howard Cooper, 47. No address was immediately available for him, either. Police said Cooper had 42 prior arrests. He has been charged with murder and possession of an instrument of crime. No details on the arrests were available last night.