Bloodied victim ‘walking and talking OK’
A person has been charged following a triple stabbing in Cambridge.
The 31-year-old has now appeared in the Hamilton District Court charged with three counts of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and wilful damage.
Three victims remain in Waikato Hospital in a stable condition. Police are not looking for anybody else in relation to the incident.
‘‘What we know at this time is that the alleged offender was known to one of the victims,’’ Waikato west area commander Inspector Will Loughrin said.
‘‘This was an incredibly traumatic event for those either dining or working at the restaurant, and we’ll ensure they receive any support required,’’ he said.
‘‘A scene examination will continue, and the community will notice an increased police presence in the area as we continue with our inquiries.’’
Emergency services were called to a commercial premises on Campbell St in Leamington following a report of a grievous assault about 8.45pm on Wednesday.
Police found three people with serious stab wounds.
Campbell St is closed between Burns and Shakespeare streets while a scene examination takes place.
The crime scene, at a suburban crossroads, remained cordoned off yesterday morning.
A blue SUV was parked inside the police tape on the BP forecourt, while over the road, outside the Sahara India Restaurant and Laundromat, a chair, a handbag, shoes and what appeared to be blood were strewn on the footpath.
A man who was just finishing work on Wednesday night came across one of the stabbing victims.
The worker, who didn’t want to be named, said he saw a man standing outside the building, looking upset.
‘‘We saw this guy and he said, ‘Go inside and don’t come out, there are others around the corner’.’’
The man described the victim as around 30 to 35 years old. He had been stabbed on the righthand side of his stomach, and blood could be seen.
The worker said he asked how the victim was.
‘‘He was walking and talking OK.’’
The victim told the man that police and ambulances were on the way, and within a minute the emergency services had turned up.
However, the worker said he had not heard much about what had gone on.
He was shocked that the incident had happened.
He said he had worked in the area for the six years and had never seen anything like it.
Owner of Reload Coffee Shop on Campbell St, Jody McDonald, said she went down to her cafe´ at 5.30am, spoke to police, and let her staff know not to come to work.
‘‘The road is closed, I don’t know when we will be able to open the shop. I don’t know what’s happening.
‘‘It’s a pretty quiet little area. It’s really surprising and shocking how close it is,’’ she said.
‘‘I don’t know when we will be able to open the shop. I don’t know what’s happening.’’
Shop owner Jody McDonald