A woman in Philadelphia stabbed two individuals, including a 1-year-old, on Saturday, and the police have detained a person of interest in connection with the incident.
Hester had been arrested for aggravated assault in the past and currently has a warrant issued in New York City for charges related to aggravated assault. These charges date back to just days before the stabbings took place.
It is unclear whether she has any connections to the Philadelphia area, according to investigators.
Philadelphia Police Captain Frank Banford observed that the offender in question carries out the act swiftly, stabbing and fleeing from the scene.
At around 8 a.m. in Center City, the initial stabbing incident occurred on the 1300 block of Chancellor Street.
The victim received medical care at Jefferson University Hospital and was subsequently discharged.
Just after 12:30 p.m., another stabbing incident occurred outside the Temple Beth Zion-Beth Israel (BZBI) synagogue on the 300 block of South 18th Street.
As the suspect approached, he swiftly approached two parents who were pushing strollers with their twin 1-year-old boys.
According to the police, the suspect was chased by the children’s father. Although the suspect managed to escape, she dropped her handbag, which is now being used in the ongoing investigation.
Ashley Jeong from Center City vividly remembers a man’s panicked shouts of “Oh my God! Oh my God!” as a crying baby added to the chaotic scene.
The 1-year-old child has been transported to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and is currently in stable condition.
During a press conference on Saturday, officers stated that both attacks seem to be random.
The synagogue confirmed in a statement to Action News that the incident near its property was not motivated by antisemitism.
No additional information was provided by officers regarding the case. However, Action News was able to obtain surveillance images of the individual being sought, according to a reliable source.
Residents in the area are expressing their concerns about the unusual violence as the investigation continues, according to reports from Action News.
“It’s absolutely insane,” Samantha Schwartz exclaimed, expressing her concern about the current state of the area. She used to feel completely at ease walking around here, but now she feels uncomfortable at all times.”
Andy Shull from Rittenhouse expressed his deep concern, stating, “I find it incredibly disturbing. The current situation is unacceptable, and immediate action must be taken to address it.”
“We need to take action and take it soon because if we don’t, history will repeat itself,” Shull emphasized.
