On Sunday night, eleven individuals were hospitalized following a stabbing incident at the Union Gospel Mission in downtown Salem, Oregon. The altercation occurred around 7:15 p.m., and the police quickly apprehended a male suspect. While the exact details of the victims’ injuries were not disclosed, they were all transported to Salem Hospital for treatment.
According to Craig Smith, the Executive Director of the mission, the assailant was new to the facility and had spent the previous night there. He was preparing to check in for a second night when he became involved in a confrontation. Reports suggest that something triggered the attack, and the attacker was found to have a knife in his bag. The skirmish occurred just before he was to hand over his belongings to the staff, and at least one staff member at the check-in desk sustained injuries.
The Union Gospel Mission features a 50,000-square-foot Men’s Mission, which opened in 2021, situated close to the police department, indicating a potentially strategic location for emergency response. The mission, founded by Christian business leaders, provides essential services, including meals and counseling, and aims to house around 150 individuals each night.
Victims were discovered both inside the day room and outside the facility. To assist in the investigation, Smith indicated that the facility’s security system captured the incident on video, which will be shared with law enforcement for further analysis. The attack underscores the challenges faced by homeless shelters, particularly regarding safety for both residents and staff.
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