The 26-year-old man who was arrested Wednesday afternoon after a stabbing incident that occurred on the walking trail of the National Historic Site in Fort Smith has been charged with first degree attempted murder and kidnapping, both felonies.
Elijah Zachariah Reed, who was initially booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center for Battery in the 1st Degree, saw his charges upgraded to the stiffer felony counts after the investigation was completed.
Sebastian County prosecutor Daniel Shue announced the change in charges on Friday, and Reed remains in jail on a $100,000 bond facing September 6 appearance in court.
According to police incident report, Reed admitted to chasing down the 44 year-old female victim and stabbing her in the back, neck and head approximately 15 times because she “looked at him the wrong way”.
Reed was arrested 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 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.
Officer’s located Reed who had a laceration to the palm of his hand.and after he was treated and released at a local hospital, and placed him under arrest following an interview with investigators.
The victim remained in stable condition at the local hospital on Saturday.
