A violent rampage erupted Sunday evening at a homeless shelter in Salem, Oregon, leaving 11 people stabbed just across the street from the city’s police headquarters, according to authorities.
The attack erupted around 7:15 p.m. at the Union Gospel Mission’s recently opened Men’s Mission, a 150-bed facility located directly across from the Salem Police Department.
Among the wounded is at least one staff member, police confirmed.
The suspect, who is now in custody, had stayed at the shelter the night before and was attempting to check in again when the violence broke out.
Officials said the man began fighting just as he was supposed to hand his belongings over.
‘Something … set him off, and he evidently had a knife in his bag,’ said Craig Smith, Executive Director of the Union Gospel Mission, in an interview with NBC News.
‘The whole incident is on video,’ he added, noting the footage has been turned over to investigators.
All 11 victims were taken to a local hospital with what police described as ‘varying types of injuries.’
The suspect, who is now in custody, had stayed at the shelter the night before and was attempting to check in again when the violence broke out
The attack erupted around 7:15 p.m. at the Union Gospel Mission’s recently opened Men’s Mission, a 150-bed facility located directly across from the Salem Police Department
Scene at United Gospel Mission of Salem after police and fire responded to reports of multiple stabbings in Salem, Oregon.
Their current conditions have not been disclosed.
The shelter, which opened in 2021 to replace the organization’s aging 1960s-era facility, was designed to serve the city’s growing homeless population.
Footage shared on social media appears to show the suspect lying on the pavement as officers take him into custody.
‘This is a very fresh incident, and detectives are gathering the facts,’ said Angela Hedrick, a spokesperson for the Salem Police Department.
A violent rampage erupted Sunday evening at a homeless shelter in Salem, Oregon , leaving 11 people stabbed just across the street from the city’s police headquarters, according to authorities
Authorities have not yet released the suspect’s identity or specified what charges he may face.
Founded in 1952 by a group of local Christian businessmen, Union Gospel Mission was established to serve the city’s homeless population.
