MPD: Suspect cut victim with box cutter on MATA bus

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A woman is facing an aggravated assault charge after Memphis Police say she cut a woman on a MATA bus with a box cutter.

Sharmel Crutcher, 36, has been charged with aggravated assault, assault on a first responder and resisting official detention for an incident that took place this week.

On Friday, officers responded to a wounding call at S Third St. and East McLemore Ave.

Upon arrival, an officer observed a female victim with a wound to her left forearm standing near a MATA bus.

The victim pointed at a woman sitting in the rear of the MATA bus while telling officers she was just cut with a blade by the woman.

The officer approached the suspect and asked her if she had any weapons. She said “Just a box cutter.”

According to the police report, the officer said he saw a blue purse with a box cutter lying on top of the bag near the suspect.

The suspect allegedly reached for the box cutter, so he grabbed the purse and placed it away from the unknown suspect for the “officer’s safety.”

The suspect then allegedly became aggressive, so he attempted to detain her.

While detaining her, the suspect allegedly began to scratch, bite and spit on the officer.

The officer managed to handcuff the suspect, later identified as Sharmel Crutcher, remove her from the bus and place her in custody.

Crutcher told officers that she and the victim began to have a verbal altercation because of a statement the victim made about Crutcher’s children.

She said that the verbal altercation turned physical when the victim grabbed her by her shirt, scratching her chest.

Crutcher said that’s when she cut the victim.

She’s being held on a $15,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on Monday.

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