The man suspected of stabbing a Toronto police officer in the neck was just released from prison in December, CBC News has learned.

Peter Lumanglas is the 38-year-old man who was pulled over by Const. Jeff Blair on Sunday evening, leading to an interaction in which the officer was stabbed and the civilian was shot.

Police have said that the veteran officer was conducting a routine traffic stop. The province’s Special Investigations Unit is now probing the circumstances of that interaction.

Toronto police Chief Bill Blair has said that the injured officer is expected to make a full recovery from his injuries.

“It was a very serious injury that the officer received. And he'll be some period of time in recovery. But we're confident of his recovery and very grateful for the care that he has received,” Blair said Tuesday.

Lumanglas remains in critical condition in hospital.

CBC News has learned that Lumanglas recently served an eight-month sentence for drug trafficking, but left prison in December.

His girlfriend, Krystle Magallanes, told CBC News that Lumanglas had kicked a drug addiction and had been trying to turn his life around for herself and their four-month-old son.

Magallanes said her boyfriend “has a big heart” and said he “would never, ever stab a cop.”

She said that police are not letting family in to see Lumanglas.

“I understand he's in custody, but a guy that’s, like, dying, I mean, why can’t they let us have, like, the last minutes with him?” Magallanes said.

Police say they intend to charge Lumanglas, though they are currently waiting to see if his condition improves.