A Juneau woman was stabbed multiple times in the back and was found by law enforcement with a knife “sticking out the side of her head” early Tuesday morning.
The Juneau Police Department responded to the stabbing, which took place in a residence in the 9100 block of Cinema Drive, at about 1:35 a.m. Officers arrived at the residence to find the 37-year-old woman with at least five stab wounds to the back, said Lt. David Campbell.
In a phone interview Tuesday, Campbell characterized the woman’s injuries as severe, but said the victim was conscious and talking; she was able to provide a statement to police.
The initial investigation revealed that a 26-year-old male Juneau resident had attacked the woman with the knife. During the assault, a second woman got involved and was struck in the face by the man, Campbell said.
The suspect then fled from the area before JPD officers arrived at the apartment, and was not initially located despite an area search.
At approximately 5:25 a.m., residents on Cinema Drive reported that the male suspect was back at the apartment complex. He was subsequently taken into custody, Campbell said.
Campbell said he did not anticipate the man being released Tuesday, as charges were pending with the District Attorney’s office. He had not been formally charged and his identity has not been released as of late Tuesday afternoon.
Drugs and alcohol appear to be contributing factors and the suspect was known to the victim, Campbell said. The investigation is continuing and search warrants had been obtained, he added.
Capital City Fire/Rescue paramedics were dispatched, and both women were taken to Bartlett Regional Hospital for treatment of their injuries. The 37-year-old female stabbing victim was later flown to Anchorage.
• Contact reporter Liz Kellar at 523-2246 or at liz.kellar@juneauempire.com