Stabbing On Board Light Rail Forces Stop At Centre Street
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Violence on the Light Rail. A man is stabbed during a fight on the afternoon train. And now, police need the public's help to find seven people who might know something.
Christie Ileto has details of the attack.
The victim was taken to Shock Trauma with non-life threatening injuries, but police have a group of people they believe could be behind the aggravated assault. The victim was released Wednesday morning.
A heated argument escalates on board a Light Rail train. Police say a man is stabbed in the buttocks, forcing a sudden stop at Centre Street and a flood of badges and crime scene tape.
Dispatcher: "A 34-year-old male, he's conscious and breathing, has been stabbed on the Light Rail."
"I was about to get on the train, actually," said Kyle Gelbach.
Gelbach didn't realize her 3:30 p.m. train was a crime scene.
Ileto: "What runs through your mind when you think this stabbing happened on a train I ride all the time?"
Gelbach: "I don't know what I'm going to do. I'm really scared."
Of the 1,600 security cameras feeding live pictures to MTA's command center, one camera captures a group of seven individuals seen leaving the southbound train shortly after the stabbing.
Dispatcher: "One had braided hair. The second had on a black t-shirt torn on the right side of the arm, 16 to 21, ran up Howard after the stabbing."
Reporter: "Do you feel safe on the Light Rail?"
Passenger: "Not now I won't. I'd rather walk."
Passengers were forced to offload at the Centre Street stop and walk to Eutaw Street to catch a bus, as train service was suspended between Camden Yards and North Avenue.
"Plan B. That means calling a family member to come and get me," said Joan McWilliams.
Police examined the train cart and platform for clues about the aggravated assault, but are certain the group of seven knows who pulled the blade.
Based on emergency calls, police believe the suspects are anywhere between 16 to 21 years old. Anyone with information is asked to call MTA Police at 410-454-7720..
Last year, MTA Police say crime on buses and trains was low. For every 400,000 riders, roughly one serious incident was reported.
This story was updated on April 1, 2015 at 10:15 a.m.
