Teen arrested for stabbing stranger who was walking dog, Columbia police say
A teenager was arrested after a stranger who was walking his dog was stabbed Monday night, according to the Columbia Police Department.
Justin A.E. Reyes, 18, was charged with assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature as well as possession of a weapon during a violent crime, police said Tuesday in a news release.
At about 6:30 p.m. Monday, officers responded to the 2700 block of Wheat Street for a disturbance, which was later upgraded by emergency dispatchers to a fight in progress, according to the release. That’s near Hand Middle School, two blocks from Devine Street in the Shandon area.
Multiple people reported a large law enforcement presence in that area on social media.
Officers found the victim, a 58-year-old man, who had been stabbed multiple times and provided first aid before EMS arrived, police said. The victim was taken to an area hospital where he remains in stable condition, according to the release.
No other injuries were reported.
During the stabbing, several witnesses heard the victim yelling and ran to help when they saw Reyes and the victim fighting, police said. After the stabbing, three men managed to subdue Reyes, according to the release.
Officers believe the victim was walking his dog when an “unprovoked” Reyes stabbed him, police said. Reyes and the victim are not acquaintances, according to the release.
When Reyes was getting arrested, officers seized a weapon from the crime scene, police said. Further information about the weapon was not available.
Reyes was booked into the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center, according to the release. He’s currently not listed on the jail’s inmate roster.
A judge set a $10,000 bond with conditions that Reyes is not to have any direct or indirect contact with the victim, police said. Reyes is also restricted from being near the victim’s home or place of worship and the incident location.
Despite the arrest, police are continuing to investigate the stabbing attack.
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