Philadelphia stabbing: Person of interest in custody after 2 people, including 1-year-old, were stabbed in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. (WABC) — A person of interest is in custody after police say a woman stabbed two people in Philadelphia on Saturday, including a 1-year-old child.

Investigators say the suspect, who they believe to be 29-year-old Takeira Hester, ran up to a 24-year-old woman and stabbed her in the chest before fleeing the area.

Hester was previously arrested for aggravated assault and has a warrant out of New York City for aggravated assault charges that occurred days before these stabbings.

Investigators are not sure if he has ties to the Philadelphia area.

“This criminal just runs, quickly stabs him and runs,” Philadelphia Police Capt. Frank Banford said.

The first stabbing took place at approximately 8 a.m. in the 1300 block of Chancellor Street in Center City.

The victim was transported to Jefferson University Hospital, where he was treated and later released.

Police say the suspect ran toward two parents and their twin 1-year-old children, who were in strollers.

“It seemed like this woman just ran up to them, they didn’t say anything, completely at random, she tried to stab both kids but got one in each arm,” Banford said.

SEE | Police provide updates on 1-year-old woman stabbed in downtown

Police provide updates on 1-year-old woman stabbed in downtown

“I heard a guy yell, ‘Oh my God! Oh my God!'” Ashley Jeong of Center City recalled. “The baby was crying”.

The 1-year-old boy was taken to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and is in stable condition.

Officers said at a news conference Saturday that both attacks appear to be random.

In a statement to Action News, the synagogue also confirmed that the attack near its property was not anti-Semitic.

Officials did not provide further details about the case. A source provided Action News with surveillance footage of the person police were looking for.

As the investigation continues, residents told Action News they are concerned about unusual violence in the area.

“Horrible, it’s crazy,” Samantha Schwartz said. “Before I felt comfortable walking in this area and now I no longer feel comfortable at any time.”

“I think it’s terribly disturbing,” Rittenhouse’s Andy Shull added. “I think something needs to be done about this and what’s happening is not necessary.”

“Something needs to be done and it needs to be done soon because the same thing is going to happen again,” Shull added.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact police.