On Saturday, two people were stabbed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, including a baby.
A sequence of two stabbings occurred in the Philadelphia area on Saturday, according to Philadelphia Police Captain Frank Banford. Takeira Hester, 29, has already been arrested by local police. According to Mr Banford, the woman has already been arrested for serious assault and is currently wanted in New York City on the same crime.
The events started at 8 a.m. in the Center City neighborhood, when police say Ms Hester charged a 24-year-old woman and stabbed her twice before fleeing. A few hours later, police say Ms Hester approached two parents wheeling twin one-year-olds in a stroller and stabbed one of the infants in each arm before leaving again.
According to Mr Banford, one of the parents pursued the suspect for some time. The infant is in stable condition at a local hospital, according to a police captain who spoke with reporters Saturday evening. He did not provide any updates on the 24-year-old’s condition.
Mr Banford further stated that these attacks were random.
“[The suspect] runs up, makes a quick stab, and runs,” he told reporters. “And the second thing was the same thing, nothing was said and it was a completely random act.”
Philadelphia had already endured a difficult week of local violence. Three persons were shot on Wednesday while attending an Eid al-Fitr festival in west Philadelphia. Police apprehended five suspects. The victims included two teenagers, one of whom was shot by a police officer, and a 22-year-old man. No lives were lost.
One of those arrested, Kahbir Oglesby Hicks, 21, has been charged with the shooting, according to Fox29.
“Gun violence is never acceptable, but to see it victimize people gathered for a Ramadan or any religious event is especially heartbreaking,” said Congressman Dwight Evans, who represents the area, in a statement released earlier this week.
“We must all continue working for change because thoughts & prayers are not enough,” he went on to say.