Police describe random stabbing attack that left man dead, woman hurt

GREEN BAY, Wis. (WBAY) - Green Bay Police say a stabbing attack that left a woman hurt and a man dead was “completely random.”

A 70-year-old man was stabbed to death while his car was stopped at a railroad crossing for a passing train. A local bartender suffered injuries.

According to police, officers were called to the 700 block of S. Broadway at about 8:19 Monday night. They found a female victim at Rum Runners and the 70-year-old man in his car less than a block away.

“The initial incident happened in Rockabillys,” says Commander Paul Ebel, Green Bay Police Dept. “The female bartender fled from there, went into another bar to seek shelter and assistance. The victim was helped by people at Rum Runners.”

The female victim suffered injuries to her neck and face. She was the only person in Rockabillys when she was attacked. CLICK HERE to donate to a GoFundMe set up for the woman.

The suspect drove his car into Rum Runners, police say. He ran off and found the man who was stopped for the train and stabbed him.

“The suspect drove his car into Rum Runners, the front of Rum Runners, and then fled behind the bar,” Ebel says. “In the meantime, a train was coming through on South Broadway, in the 800 block. The second victim was stopped for the train and the suspect attempted to get into his car, pounding on the window. The victim in the car opened his door, suspect reached in, and you can see from video surveillance, that he [the suspect] stabbed this individual.”

Ebel continues, “Some other people stopped for the train attempted to assist the victim. When they saw the suspect had a knife, they ran into another bar and summoned help from there and patrons from that bar came out to assist as our officers were arriving.”

Both victims were taken to a hospital.

“Completely random. The gentleman, who was 70 years old, later died of his injuries at the hospital,” Ebel says.

Police arrested a 22-year-old man. Tuesday, officers said they expect him to be charged with first-degree intentional homicide, first degree recklessly endangering safety, and first degree reckless injury. They don’t believe the public is in any danger.

“We can only speculate why it happened. He appeared to be under the influence of some type of either alcohol or drugs,” says Ebel. “At this time, we don’t know. So at this time, we’re investigating that angle of it.”

A random stabbing attack is unusual.

“Usually when we have a homicide or stabbing, the two individuals know each other or got into some kind of conflict,” says Ebel. “You don’t have something that’s a complete random act. This on its surface, appears to be a complete random act, especially for the person that was stopped for the train.”

If you are a witness or have video of the incident, call Green Bay Police.

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