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Police in Tooele are looking for a man responsible for a stabbing incident they have not been able to explain. They're hoping a composite sketch of the suspect will help identify him.
Police say this is an unusual crime. It appears to have been a random attack with no apparent motive.
The suspect was hiding in a bathroom stall inside Saint Marguerites Church in Tooele on Saturday night. There was a Christmas party going on inside that church for employees of Mountain West Medical. Around 10:30, the party began winding down, and one of the party-goers went inside to use the bathroom.
Police say the 54-year-old victim was attacked from behind and stabbed more than six times. "There was no exchange of words. There was no requests for money, none taken. We really, at this point, don't understand why he targeted this gentleman; or was he targeting this gentleman, or was it random?" Tooele police Lt. Paul Wimmer said.
The victim told police he did not know the suspect. He was seriously hurt, but is now out of the hospital and was able to work with police to come up with this sketch.
Police say there is a door adjacent to the bathroom, so the suspect was able to go in the church and leave without passing the hall where the party was going on. Apparently someone was in the bathroom about 30 minutes before the attack and didn't notice anyone in there at that time.
The suspect is described as being between 25 to 30 years old and may have a dark birthmark or mole on his cheek. If you have any information on who he may be, contact the Tooele City Police Department at 435-882-5600.
E-mail: syi@ksl.com
