France train hero released from California hospital after stabbing
DAVIS, Calif. -- The U.S. airman hailed as a hero for helping thwart a European terror attack was released from the hospital where he had been for a week following an unrelated stabbing.
U.S. Air Force Airman Spencer Stone was knifed three times in the torso on Oct. 8 in a fight near a bar in Sacramento, California.
He was released Thursday from UC Davis Medical Center.
"Our family wishes to express our deepest gratitude to the staff and providers at UC Davis Medical Center," said Stone's mother, Joyce Eskel, in a press release.
The brawl occurred shortly after the 23-year-old Stone left a nightclub where patrons applauded him for helping tackle a gunman with ties to radical Islam on a Paris-bound passenger train in August. Police say the assault had nothing to do with the European terror plot.
Police said two assailants, described by Deputy Police Chief Ken Bernard as male Asian adults, fled in a car. No immediate arrests were made.
"This incident is not related to terrorism in any way," Bernard said. "We know it's not related to what occurred in France months ago."
Bernard said the stabbing was "related to a nightclub incident" involving Stone's crowd and another group of people. Bernard would not say what the fight was about.
Grainy surveillance video from outside a liquor store shows a large man who appears to be Stone fighting a half dozen people at an intersection. No arrests have been made.
"Thanks very much to the first responders and the team here at UC Davis Medical Center for taking such good care of me," said Stone in a press release. "Thanks, also, to my amazing family and friends for their love and support. And, thanks to everyone who has sent encouragement during this challenging time. I'm focused now on healing and recovering and look forward to the next part of my journey."