UPDATED: Man stabbed on Stewart Avenue Bridge
The shelter warning has been lifted
UPDATED
Despite CUPD lifting the shelter warning, Cornell dorms are advising everyone to keep safe, as the suspects are still at large.
From Donlon RAs: “Do not let anyone who does not live here into the building.”
They added: “If you are not already in the building, stay where you are. Police are urging community members not to go back to North, even in groups or on a bus.”
Meanwhile in Dickson, an RA knocked on a Tab reporter’s door telling students not to go outside or let people in.
Ithaca Police Deputy Chief Vince Monticello added it appears that the man caught two people stealing items from his vehicle and an altercation ensued. The male was then stabbed.
He was then rushed to a local hospital and “will live,” Ithaca Mayor Svante Myrick said.
The victim has been identified as Ithaca resident, and a worker at Exscape Smoke Shop and Vapor Lounge on the Ithaca Commons.
Police are looking for two suspects, who witnesses have described as two black males, one has a man bun, and the other is believed to be wearing a red shirt.
There is no reason to believe this incident is related to the stabbing of Anthony Nazaire earlier in the semester.
Cornell President Hunter Rawlings confirmed the man was stabbed in the leg, and is currently being treated. In a campus-wide email, he said:
“Earlier this evening, our community was once again jolted by an act of violence. An individual unaffiliated with Cornell, who has not yet been identified, was stabbed in the leg by as of yet unknown assailants off campus near the Stewart Avenue bridge. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he is being treated. All of our thoughts are with the victim as we wish him a full and speedy recovery.
“One act of violence near our campus is one too many. I want to assure you that the safety of our campus community is our number one priority, and we are committed to doing all we can to assist the police in bringing those responsible for these crimes to justice, and to taking all available steps to promote the safety and security of our campus.”
The screenshot of a message is circulating among Cornell students claiming to be from an EMS on shift tonight – it mentions another knife attack and an attempt from a driver in a red truck to run over a pedestrian.
That message has now been clarified by Kathy Zoner, Chief of Cornell Police, who posted: “I am confirming that there was NO stabbing on North Campus. It was a road rage incident with a driver angry at a pedestrian.”
Police have sounded the all-clear after a stabbing occurred on Stewart Avenue Bridge around 8pm tonight.
The suspect is believed to have fled the scene towards West Campus and may have been armed with a handgun, according to CUPD reports.
Cornell Police earlier advised taking shelter and staying indoors in a crime alert sent to all students.
The shelter in place has since been lifted but there is still a large police presence on campus, CUPD confirmed to The Tab.
The police investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Ithaca Police Department at 607-272-3245.
More to follow.
Additional reporting from The Tab Cornell editorial team.