Update: When police arrived on-scene, they located five victims suffering from at least one stab wound each. An adult male victim was declared deceased at the scene. A second victim, an adult female, was transported to a local hospital where she succumbed to her injuries.
Three other men were taken a the hospital. They are in serious but stable condition. There is currently one adult male suspect in custody. The motive and circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation.
Two people died and multiple others were injured Sunday night during a stabbing at Grace Baptist Church in San Jose, California. The violence took place amidst a group of homeless people who had been brought inside the church to shelter from the cold weather, police said.
The stabbings were reported about 7:53 p.m. PT Sunday. By 11 p.m., San Jose police tweeted that two of the people injured died, reporting the deaths as number 40 and 41 for homicides in 2020.
The investigation at the church closed roads. Police called the church and surrounding area a “very active scene.” This morning, police reported making one arrest, noting a news release is forthcoming. It is still unclear exactly how many people were wounded.
No confirmation of an arrest. Please refer to our feed for updates. This is a very active scene. Thank you for your patience.
— San Jose Police Media Relations (@SJPD_PIO) November 23, 2020
The church is located near San Jose State University in downtown San Jose. It runs a winter shelter program to serve homeless people, according to its website.
The shelter program is part of Grace Solutions, a faith-based program housed in the gymnasium and basement of Grace Baptist Church. The program usually runs from January to April, but the church began early this year to help people during the coronavirus pandemic.
The shelter accepts up to 50 men and women a night. Guests stay overnight and receive a hot dinner, breakfast, boxed lunch and a shower. Grace Solutions also offers a daily drop-in shower program.
Police have not reported whether those who died or are injured are among the staff or the homeless who were at the church at the time of the stabbings.
Thank you to @SJFD and our first responding Officers who rendered aid to victims in the middle of a chaotic scene and undoubtedly saved lives.
— San Jose Police Media Relations (@SJPD_PIO) November 23, 2020
Charisma News will provide an update as the investigation produces information. {eoa}
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