PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Two separate stabbings Saturday night were spurred by arguments, according to police, leaving a woman dead and a man fighting for his life.
The first incident happened around 9:30 p.m. on South Yewdall Street, near Woodland Avenue, in Southwest Philadelphia. Police said a man and a woman, both 56, were arguing on the street during a regular get-together of their friend group.
Then, “following an alcohol-fueled argument,” police said the man stabbed the woman multiple times in the chest while she was sitting in a chair. Police took the woman to a nearby hospital, where she was quickly pronounced dead.
The suspect is in police custody.
“The 56-year-old man left the location, but not far,” said Inspector D.F. Pace. “Officers were able to track him down. They placed him under arrest, and they also tracked down the knife.”
Shortly thereafter, in Kensington, two men who knew each other got into an argument near Hartville Street and East Indiana Avenue. Officials said one followed the other to E and Clearfield streets, then stabbed him multiple times in the chest with a screwdriver.
The suspect fled.
The victim, who is believed to be in his 40s, was rushed to the hospital, where he is in critical condition.
Pace said members of both men’s families saw the altercation.
“We have that screwdriver in police custody at this time. The male, however, fled the scene. But in this case, we also have some witnesses,” he said.