According to the New Hartford Police Department, a 37-year-old man is under arrest and faces attempted murder charges after stabbing a woman in a Walmart.
At around 12:30 p.m., the New Hartford Police Department received a call reporting a stabbing at Walmart on Commercial Drive.
When police officers and EMTs arrived, they discovered one adult woman victim, age 25, inside the store.
While patrolling the neighborhood and receiving more information from others, officers discovered a male suspect inside the store. Police arrested the suspect as he attempted to flee the scene on foot. Officers took the man into custody without more incident.
Kristopher L. Spain, 37, has been named as the suspect. Police said Spain is from the area, but he is believed to have recently become homeless, with no known address.
Spain faces charges of second-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault, and third-degree unlawful possession of a weapon.
“Spain and the victim are not known to one another, and the incident at this time appears to be a random act of violence,” New Hartford Police authorities said in a statement. “Fortunately, the victim is in stable condition at Wynn Hospital, and we pray she makes a complete recovery.”
At this moment, the investigation suggests that Spain launched a random and unprovoked attack on the victim while armed with a sharp object when he encountered him inside the business.
At this time, the New Hartford Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division has been tasked with conducting additional investigations.
Anyone who witnessed this or has any information concerning the occurrence should contact the New Hartford Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division at 315-724-7111.
Spain was processed by the New Hartford Police Department and then transferred to the Oneida County Jail, where he will be kept until his arraignment in Centralized Arraignment Court. Spain is not eligible for bail in these situations.
