SEATTLE — One person is in custody after five people were stabbed Friday afternoon in what police say was the latest incident in a series of stabbings in Seattle in the last two days.
Multiple law enforcement agencies from across the City of Seattle responded to the latest incident on Nov. 8 around 2:15 p.m. at 12th Avenue South and South Jackson Street intersection in Seattle’s Chinatown-International District. A spokesperson with the department said that five people were stabbed.
Each of the victims’ wounds vary from a minor cut to a severe stab wound, he said.
Four victims were taken to Harborview Medical Center for treatment in critical condition, one of them still had the knife in his wound when paramedics arrived. One man was upgraded to serious in the center’s ICU Saturday morning, and two others remain serious in the ICU. The fourth victim remains satisfactory.
One victim didn’t need treatment and was released.
Police only recovered one knife used in the incident and no other weapons were found at the scene.
This mass casualty incident is connected to five other separate stabbings that happened within the last 38 hours, the spokesperson said. In total, there have been 10 different stabbings in a variety of locations, wounding nine men and one woman. One of the incidents involved a robbery that turned violent.
The spokesperson said that the suspect was also injured Friday and taken into custody without incident. Police say he was also involved in five other stabbings that happened in the neighborhood during the last two days. One of the other stabbings involved a robbery and the others were random attacks.
There were reportedly four other separate stabbings that happened on Nov. 7, just hours apart.
At about 12:19 a.m., officers responded to the report of a man who had been stabbed at the intersection of South Jackson Street and 8th Avenue South. Upon arrival, they found the victim who was stabbed seven times, three to the front of his chest and four to his back. Officers rendered aid until Seattle Fire Arrived and continued first aid. The suspect was described as a man, wearing a checkered hoody last seen heading eastbound on South King Street. That victim was taken to Harborview in serious condition.
Shortly after 1:30 a.m., police found a 52-year-old woman with multiple stab wounds near 12th Avenue South and South King Street. According to the Seattle Fire Department, she was stabbed eight times. She was taken to Harborview Medical Center in serious condition. Police found a blood trail and a possible crime scene East of 8th Avenue South and South King Street.
At 9 a.m., officers responded to a stabbing near 8th Avenue South and South Jackson Street. Officers found the victim and began rendering aid until the scene was safe for Seattle Fire. The victim was stabbed multiple times in the chest, back and hands. He was transported to Harborview Medical Center in serious condition.
At about 11 p.m., officers responded to an assault in the 800 block of South King Street beneath the Interstate overpass. The victim was found inside their car with a cut to his hand. Officers provided aid until Seattle Fire arrived. The victim told police the suspect walked up to his car, forcibly opened the driver’s door and tried to stab him in the chest. The victim blocked the initial attempt with his arm and his hand was cut. The suspect left the scene with the victim’s cellphone.
There was one reported stabbing that happened on Nov. 8. at 1 a.m.
Officers responded to an assault near the intersection of 12 Avenue South and South Jackson Street. The victim was found on the street and was bleeding heavily from the neck. Officers provided aid until Seattle Fire arrived. The victim was taken to Harborview Medical Center in serious condition. Officers followed a blood trail to a doorway northwest of where the victim was found and used that as a starting point for a K9 officer track. This incident follows a recent pattern of stabbings in the area over the past 24 hours, police said.
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell released the following statement regarding the incident, which reads:
“The stabbings in Little Saigon and the Chinatown-International District are horrific, appalling, and shouldn’t occur anywhere in our city. I am grateful for the efforts of first responders in arresting a suspect and caring for the victims of these attacks. I hope for their speedy recovery.
“Every person deserves to feel and be safe, and I remain committed to using every tool available to improve the safety of Little Saigon and the historic Chinatown-International District for all residents, workers, and visitors. We will continue to take a proactive approach to this ongoing challenge – increasing law enforcement resources and patrols to quickly respond to and deter illegal activities, implementing evidence-based technology to prevent and solve crimes, and holding those who cause harm accountable for their actions.”
There were no further details to provide at this time. This story will be updated.
The investigation is still ongoing.