As many as 4 people stabbed, 1 clinging to life, aboard Detroit-bound Amtrak train
By RYAN GORMAN
Multiple people have reportedly been stabbed on an Amtrak train in Niles, Michigan, a police dispatcher has confirmed to AOL News.
Two women and two men, one reported by WRTV to be a conductor, were stabbed and a 44-year-old male suspect is under arrest aboard the Chicago to Detroit train, according to passengers on the scene and WSBT, which cited sister station WWMT.
The incident happened around 7:00 p.m., according to WJBK. Ages have not been provided for the victims, but one of the people stabbed was described to WSBT as "older."
The suspect was acting "odd" prior to the attacks, witnesses told WWMT. He attacked the passengers only when police boarded the train in Niles.
The male victim was stabbed first, another witness told WSBT. The attacker then lunged towards the two women, stabbed them and tried to take off on foot. Cops subdued him with a Taser gun, witnesses added.
One person sustained serious injuries, sources told WWMT, the other two were treated for only minor injuries.
Amtrak passengers on stabbing attack train in Niles, MI say they are delayed at station, unable to get off train, power is out
- Amit Harris (@amit_harris) December 6, 2014
A dispatcher with the Niles Police Department confirmed to AOL News that multiple people were stabbed and one person is in custody. Investigators are unsure if the person arrested is the only suspect.
The Wolverine 356 train was parked at the Niles train station, about 11 miles north of South Bend, Indiana, where the campus of Notre Dame University is located. It left Chicago at 6:00 p.m. and was expected in Detroit/PortHuron at 12:18 a.m.
An Amtrak statement confirmed 173 passengers were aboard the train at the time of the stabbing spree. Alternative transportation arrangements are being sorted out for the passengers not involved in the incident.
Multiple standings in #niles Michigan #amtrak one victim was a conductor. Sad sad stuff pic.twitter.com/o4sN0F6MQE
- Gerald Stewart (@stewartgerald) December 6, 2014
The condition of the victims is not known, but Chris Maynard, who is riding aboard the train, shared on Twitter a picture of the stabbing suspect in handcuffs. The train is currently being held in the station for processing, according to the dispatcher.
Identities have not yet been released. No motive has yet been determined. Authorities were unwilling to release further details at this time.
This is a developing story, more information will come as it is made available.
