By George P. Hassett

A Somerville man who attacked two women with a steak knife stabbed himself and pretended to be unconscious when officers arrived, according to police.

Darci Ribeiro, 36, of 24 Melvin St., became upset when he suspected one of the victims of carrying on an affair, police said. He allegedly grabbed the woman by the neck and threw her to the ground.

Police said Ribeiro grabbed the knife from the kitchen table and told her, “I’m going to kill you.” When another woman tried to help, Ribeiro bit her and left “a major bite mark,” police said.

A man inside the apartment disarmed Ribeiro of the knife, but Ribeiro picked up a pair of scissors and continued to threaten the victim, police said.

He stabbed himself in the chest multiple times with the scissors and dropped to the ground pretending to be unconscious, police said. When officers arrived he was covered in blood. He was arrested and charged with assault to murder and assault and battery.