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SALT LAKE CITY — A man stabbed four people, critically injuring one of them, near The Road Home homeless shelter in downtown Tuesday.
The attack began shortly after 6 p.m. at 251 S. 500 West, said Salt Lake police detective Cody Lougy. Police arrived to find a large fight involving about 10 to 15 people, Lougy said. The alleged attacker and his girlfriend were being chased by some of the group. Officers quickly arrested him.
All four of the stabbing victims are men, according to Lougy. The first victim was stabbed in the chest, he said.
"Fortunately, we had an officer that was a trained paramedic render first aid to that individual and probably saved his life," Lougy said.
The man was in critical condition later Tuesday evening. A second man was stabbed in the chest about a half-block north, Lougy said. He was listed in serious condition.
Two others were also stabbed and suffered minor injuries, including one man who was several blocks from the scene before realizing he was injured, according to Lougy.
The alleged attacker also suffered some lacerations to his head during the ordeal. His name was not immediately released.
A knife was recovered from the area, but police aren't sure whether it's the weapon that was used. Lougy said the knife used in the attack was large.
Investigators expected to remain on scene for several hours as 500 West was closed to traffic in both directions between 400 South and 200 South. Officers were talking to witnesses and trying to gather surveillance images, Lougy said. What precipitated the stabbings was not immediately clear.
"This is the largest … stabbing scene that I've seen down here," Lougy said, referring to the homeless shelter. "This is unusual."
Police were still seeking the alleged attacker's girlfriend late Tuesday. She is described as white, 6 feet 3 inches tall, with shoulder-length blonde hair.
Anyone with information about the woman's whereabouts or other details about the case is asked call Salt Lake police at 801-799-3000.
