An infant is one of two victims in a series of stabbings in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Saturday.
Two stabbings occurred in Philadelphia on Saturday, according to Philadelphia Police Captain Frank Banford. Local police have arrested 29-year-old Takeira Hester. The woman has already been arrested for serious assault, and she is currently wanted in New York City on the same accusation, according to Mr. Banford.
The events began 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 claim Ms. Hester approached two parents wheeling twin one-year-olds in a stroller, stabbing one of the infants in each arm before fleeing.
Mr. Banford explained that one of the parents then pursued the suspect for some time. The infant is in stable condition at a local hospital, according to the police captain, who spoke with reporters Saturday evening. He didn’t give an update on the 24-year-old’s condition.
Mr. Banford further claimed that these attacks were random.
“[The suspect] runs up, takes 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 experienced a difficult week of local violence. An Eid al-Fitr party in west Philadelphia saw three people shot on Wednesday. Five people have been arrested. The victims included two adolescents, one of whom a police officer shot, and a 22-year-old man. Fortunately, no one died.
Fox29 reports that the shooting has charged 21-year-old Kahbir Oglesby Hicks, one of those arrested.
“Gun violence is never acceptable, but to see it victimize people who have gathered for a Ramadan or any religious event is especially heartbreaking,” Congressman Dwight Evans, who represents the area, said in a statement earlier this week.
“We must all continue working for change, because thoughts and prayers are not enough,” he said.
