Stabbing attack at Oregon homeless shelter sends 11 people to hospital, man in custody
SALEM, Ore. — A dozen people were injured in a stabbing attack at an Oregon homeless shelter on Sunday night, and a suspect was arrested, police said.
A man with an 8-inch knife walked into the lobby of the Union Gospel Mission in Salem around 7:15 p.m., the Salem Police Department said on Monday. The man had been talking to people in the lobby when he allegedly pulled out a knife and stabbed several people, according to police.
Other people in the vicinity were hurt when they tried to intervene, police said. The man then left the building and stabbed others who were nearby, sitting outside.
Police arrested a suspect identified as Tony Williams, 42, across the street from the shelter.
Eleven victims, including two shelter staff members, were taken to a hospital for treatment and a 12th victim was identified as officers interviewed witnesses. Police said the victims suffered “varying types of injuries.” All of the injured were men between the ages of 26 and 57, police said.
Five people remained hospitalized Monday with serious injuries.
Police haven't specified a motive for the stabbings, but said it didn't seem targeted at people who are homeless.
Craig Smith, the shelter's executive director, said in an online statement that the two staff members were among those still hospitalized on Monday.
“As you can imagine, our guests and staff are shaken up and grieving,” the statement said. “Already we are in conversation and meetings with staff and guests to discuss safety improvements, to the best of our ability, moving forward.”
Williams was traveling by bus from Portland to Deschutes County when he got off in Salem on Saturday, according to Salem Police Violent Crimes Unit detectives. The next night, Williams arrived at the shelter shortly before the call for police assistance.
“I’m in disbelief that something like this could happen. We are most concerned with those who are still in hospital and for those who were just there. It’s a difficult thing to process,” Salem Mayor Julie Hoy said.
Bobby Epperly was on the second floor when he said he saw the man screaming outside at traffic and holding a knife, the Salem Statesman Journal reported.
“It’s like a horror movie,” Epperly said. He said he didn't realize some people had already been stabbed inside the building until he went downstairs and saw “blood everywhere.”
Up to 150 men seek refuge at the shelter each night, according to its website.
