Latest news with #CraigSmith
CTV News
a day ago
- General
- CTV News
Stabbing attack at Oregon homeless shelter injures 12 people, man in custody
This image taken from video provided by KATU-TV shows an entrance to the Union Gospel Mission as police investigate a stabbing in Salem, Ore., June 1, 2025. (KATU-TV via AP) SALEM, Ore. — A man police arrested on suspicion of stabbing multiple people at a homeless shelter became violent at the check-in desk, the center's director said. Twelve people were injured and 11 were taken to a hospital as officers converged on the bloody scene. Five remained in the hospital in critical condition Monday after the attack Sunday night at the Union Gospel Mission, Deputy Chief Treven Upkes said. Officers were called out at about 7:15 p.m. Sunday to the shelter, the Salem Police Department said in a statement, saying the victims suffered 'varying types of injuries.' 'I'm in disbelief that something like this could happen. We are most concerned with those who are still in hospital and for those who were just there. It's a difficult thing to process,' said Salem Mayor Julie Hoy. Craig Smith, executive director of the center, told NBC News late Sunday that the attacker was new to the mission, having spent Saturday night there, and was about to check in for a second night when he got into a fight. 'Something ... set him off, and he evidently had a knife in his bag,' Smith said. The altercation happened right before the man would have handed over his belongings to staff, and at least one staffer, who was working the mission's check-in desk, was injured in the attack, Smith said. Bobby Epperly was on the second floor when he said he saw the man screaming outside at traffic and holding a knife, the Salem Statesman Journal reported. 'It's like a horror movie,' said Epperly, 48. He said he didn't realize some people had already been stabbed inside the building until he went downstairs and saw 'blood everywhere.' Messages seeking comment were left with the hospital and at the mission, where up to 150 homeless men seek refuge each night, according to its website.
The Independent
a day ago
- General
- The Independent
‘Something … set him off': Mass stabbing at Orgon homeless shelter leaves 11 people injured
A mass stabbing at an Oregon homeless shelter sent 11 people to the hospital as officials said something set the suspect off before the attack. Police were called to the Union Gospel Mission in Salem, about an hour south of Portland, just after 7 p.m. Sunday following reports of a stabbing, police said. Victims suffered 'varying types of injuries' in the attack, and their conditions were unknown Monday morning, Angela Hendrick of the Salem Police Department said in a statement. Craig Smith, the executive director of the shelter, told NBC News the suspected attacker had just arrived at the facility the day before and was going to check in for a second night when he got into a fight. 'Something…set him off, and he evidently had a knife in his bag,' Smith said. The altercation happened just as the man was about to turn over his belongings and check in. At least one staff member working at the check-in desk was injured, Smith said. Bobby Epperly was on the second floor of the shelter when he said he saw the man screaming outside at traffic and holding a knife, the Salem Statesman Journal reported. 'It's like a horror movie,' said Epperly, 48. He said he didn't realize some people had already been stabbed inside the building until he went downstairs and saw 'blood everywhere.' Another witness, Malik Law, said he saw the man stab at least seven people. 'Everybody was basically trying to move out of his way,' Law said. 'He started attacking them.' Police have arrested the suspect but have not named the man. The shelter, a faith-based organization, houses upwards of 150 homeless men and provides support services, food, clothing, case management and counseling.
Fox News
a day ago
- General
- Fox News
11 stabbed at homeless men's shelter in Oregon, suspect in custody
Eleven people were stabbed at a men's homeless shelter in Oregon in a scene that a witness described as looking like out of a "horror movie." One male suspect is in custody following the incident Sunday night at the Union Gospel Mission of Salem, according to the Salem Police Department. "Everybody was basically trying to move out of his way," witness Malik Law told the Statesman Journal. "He started attacking them." Bobby Epperly, who lives at the Mission, also told the newspaper that he saw a man outside screaming at traffic and wielding a knife. Inside the building, Epperly said he observed "blood everywhere." The motive of the attack is unclear. A police spokesperson told Fox News Digital that 11 people received medical care for various injuries. The Union Gospel Mission of Salem – a faith-based nonprofit that provides shelter and services for the homeless – did not immediately respond Monday to a request for comment from Fox News Digital. "We welcome those in need with daily essentials to help them recover from homelessness, hunger, addiction and poverty and give them the opportunity for long-term, sustained life change through God's love and the generous support of our shared community," according to the Mission website. The organization's men's shelter is located across the street from the headquarters of the Salem Police Department. "It's a really awful situation," Union Gospel Mission of Salem Executive Director Craig Smith told the Statesman Journal, noting that the stabbing began near the building's front entrance and people were targeted inside and outside the facility. "I just heard a scream," said another witness, Dan Mills. "I was standing right at the front desk, I was probably no more than 10 feet away, and he stabbed one of the staff members."
The Independent
a day ago
- General
- The Independent
Stabbing attack at homeless shelter sends 11 people to hospital, man in custody
A stabbing attack at a homeless shelter sent 11 people to a hospital Sunday night in Salem, Oregon, and a man was in custody, a police spokesperson said. Police were called out at about 7:15 p.m. Sunday to the Union Gospel Mission, Angela Hedrick of the Salem Police Department said in a statement. She said the victims suffered 'varying types of injuries" and that their status was unknown. Executive Director Craig Smith told NBC News late Sunday that the attacker was new to the mission, having spent Saturday night there, and was about to check in for a second night when he got into a fight. 'Something ... set him off, and he evidently had a knife in his bag,' Smith said. The altercation happened right before the man would have handed over his belongings to staff, and at least one staffer, who was working the mission's check-in desk, was injured in the attack, Smith said. Bobby Epperly was on the second floor when he said he saw the man screaming outside at traffic and holding a knife, the Salem Statesman Journal reported. 'It's like a horror movie,' said Epperly, 48. He said he didn't realize some people had already been stabbed inside the building until he went downstairs and saw 'blood everywhere.' Hedrick released no more details as detectives investigate. Messages seeking comment were left with the hospital and at the mission, where up to 150 homeless men seek refuge each night, according to its website.
CNN
a day ago
- General
- CNN
Salem, Oregon stabbing: 11 hurt following report of stabbing victims at homeless shelter, suspect in custody
Crime PovertyFacebookTweetLink Follow Eleven people were taken to a hospital and a man was in custody following a report of multiple stabbing victims at a men's homeless shelter in Salem, Oregon, a police spokesperson said. Police were called out at about 7:15 p.m. Sunday to the Union Gospel Mission, Angela Hedrick of the Salem Police Department said in a statement. She said the victims suffered 'varying types of injuries' and that their status was unknown. Hedrick released no more details as detectives investigate. Executive Director Craig Smith told NBC News late Sunday that the attacker was new to the mission, having spent Saturday night there, and was about to check in for a second night when he got into a fight. 'Something … set him off, and he evidently had a knife in his bag,' Smith said. The altercation happened right before the man would have handed over his belongings to staff, and at least one staffer, who was working the mission's check-in desk, was injured in the attack, Smith said. Messages seeking comment were left with the hospital and at the mission, where up to 150 homeless men seek refuge each night, according to its website.
