On Sunday night, a stabbing incident at the Union Gospel Mission in downtown Salem, Oregon, left eleven people hospitalized. The attack occurred around 7:15 PM, leading to the arrest of a male suspect who was said to be new to the facility. The incident unfolded just as the suspect was about to check in for a second night after spending Saturday there. Craig Smith, the mission’s Executive Director, indicated that an argument triggered the violence, during which the suspect used a knife he had in his bag.
Victims were located both inside the mission’s day room and outside. Some of those injured included staff members, with one being stationed at the check-in desk. The mission, which provides services including food and housing for roughly 150 individuals each night, had recently upgraded to a new 50,000-square-foot building in 2021, located a short distance from its previous facility.
Salem police are investigating the attack and have access to security footage from the mission that captures the entire incident. Police spokeswoman Angela Hedrick reported that the injured victims were transported to Salem Hospital, but details about their specific injuries have not yet been disclosed. The mission operates as a nonprofit founded by Christian businesspeople with a focus on helping the homeless community.
The incident underscores ongoing concerns about safety and violence within vulnerable populations and the challenges faced by shelters in managing such crises.
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