A 26 year-old man wa arrested Wedneday afternoon after a stabbing incident occurred on the walking trail of the National Historic Site in Fort Smith.
Police arrested Elijah Zachariah Reed in the 900 block of Garrison Avenue shortly after the incident occurred in the southwest corner of the park.
At approximately 11:34 a,m, on Wednesday, the FSPd responded to the intersection of South 3rd and Parker and were directed by National Park personnel across the railroad tracks to a site along the walking trails. The victim, a 44 year old woman, was discovered on the walking trail with multiple stab wounds.
Park personnel told police the victim had approached them asking for help, saying that while she was jogging on the trail she was attacked from behind. The victim, before she was transported o a local hospital, provided a description of the suspect and his last known direction of travel
After locating the crime scene police received a call regarding a man walking down Garrison Avenue who fit the description of the attacker. Officers located Reed who had a laceration to the palm of his hand.
After he was treated and released at a local hospital, and placed him under arrest following an interview with investigators. Reed was been charged with Battery in the 1st Degree.
Police said there were no known connections between the suspect and the victim, the weapon has not been recovered and was reportedly thrown into the river and the attack is being considered a random at of violence.
The victim remains in stable condition at the local hospital.
charged with Battery in the 1st Degree? How is that NOT attempted murder?