A night near Philadelphia's City Hall turned chaotic Sunday when a street argument escalated into a stabbing, and then a crowd of as many as a dozen people turned on the attacker, beating him to the ground before he managed to escape on foot. A 50-year-old man was stabbed multiple times in the back of the head, while a 37-year-old man suffered a cut to his arm trying to intervene.
Police were called to the intersection of 15th Street and John F. Kennedy Boulevard just after 9 p.m., according to fox29.com. Officers arrived to find the aftermath of a violent confrontation just steps from one of the city's most recognizable landmarks, in an area typically busy with commuters, tourists, and nightlife.
Witnesses told police that the suspect got into an argument with the 50-year-old man before the dispute turned physical, according to NBC10 Philadelphia. The attacker allegedly stabbed the man several times in the back of the head with what police described as an unknown sharp object.
Bystanders Turn the Tables on the Attacker
As the altercation unfolded, a 37-year-old man was cut on his left arm, per the station's report. That is when a crowd estimated at up to 12 people stepped in, punching and kicking the suspect until he fell to the ground, according to officials cited in the NBC10 account.
Despite being overwhelmed by the crowd, the suspect managed to get back up and flee the scene before officers arrived, heading south on 15th Street, the same outlet reported. No description of the suspect has been released at this time, and police have not said whether anyone has since been identified or taken into custody.
Victims Taken to Jefferson Hospital
Both injured men were taken to Jefferson University Hospital for treatment, per the same account. Police have not released the conditions of the two men injured in the fight, leaving their current status unknown as of the latest reporting, according to FOX 29 Philadelphia.
The investigation into the incident remains ongoing, according to NBC10 Philadelphia, with authorities continuing to piece together exactly what sparked the confrontation and who was involved. No further details about a motive or the relationship between the men have been made public.
