Spencer Stone, the U.S. Airman 1st Class credited with helping thwart a terrorist aboard a French train in August, was apparently defending a woman this week when he was stabbed, according to a witness.
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According to the Los Angeles Times, Stone, 23, got into an altercation with two or three men around 12:45 a.m. near 21st and K streets early Thursday.
Sacramento Deputy Police Chief Ken Bernard assured reporters during a news conference Thursday that the incident was not related to terrorism and that police do not think the suspects were aware of Stone’s identity at the time.
The USA airman was the first American to tackle a gunman aboard a Paris-bound train over the summer. Stone was transported to a the University of California, Davis Medical Center, where he is listed in stable condition.
The hospital also upgraded the 23-year-old airman’s condition from serious to fair.
A few of those involved appeared to be fighting alongside Stone.
“We’re really hoping that additional witnesses or anyone involved comes forward”, he said. Stone got in the middle of it.
Mr Bernard said officers found Mr Stone with multiple stab wounds to his upper body.
Cain told the CBS Sacramento affiliate KOVR on Thursday a woman was arguing outside the bar with a man who appeared to be her boyfriend.
Bernard said Stone was out with four friends when they got into a fight with another group of people.
Sacramento police are searching for the two suspects. No immediate arrests were made. “He is continuing to recover”, the hospital said in a statement.
“Right now we’re sitting there going, ‘I don’t think they’re gonna fight; they don’t want to fight, ‘” Cain said, watching he video and recalling his thoughts to KVOR. Dr. J. Douglas Kirk, the medical director at UCDMC, said Thursday that Stone was expected to make a full recovery.
Stone had surgery to reattach his thumb after it was cut off with a box cutter by the train attacker.
Mr Stone was awarded the Legion of Honour, France’s highest decoration, along with Army National Guard Specialist Alek Skarlatos and Mr Anthony Sadler, a civilian.
The stabbing was not the train heroes’ only close call since their return.
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Last week, Skarlatos left rehearsals for TV’s “Dancing With the Stars” to rush back to Roseburg, Oregon, after a gunman killed nine people at the community college that Skarlatos attends.
