SALEM, OR – Police responded to the Union Gospel Mission in Salem, Oregon on Sunday evening after receiving a report that multiple people had been stabbed.

According to police, officers arrived to find several individuals who had been stabbed inside the facility by a man with a knife approximately eight inches in size.

Witnesses reported the suspect was speaking to individuals in the lobby of the shelter when, at about 7:15 p.m., he produced a knife and stabbed several people. Others present who attempted to intervene in the melee were also injured. The suspect, identified as Tony Latrell Williams, age 42 of Bend, then exited the building and stabbed others who were sitting outside near the facility. Williams then continued to walk eastbound across Commercial Street.

Officers apprehended Williams at Commercial and Division ST NE across from the shelter. The weapon used was located and seized.

Officers and paramedics provided medical aid to 11 victims prior to being transported to Salem Health for further care. A twelfth victim was identified as officers were interviewing witnesses. Five male victims who received serious injuries remained hospitalized as of Monday. The remaining victims, all men, received non life threatening injuries of varying degrees. The victims included two Union Gospel Mission staff members and ten individuals who were guests at the shelter or were encountered outside the building, all ranging in age from 26 to 57.

Salem Police Violent Crimes Unit detectives investigating the incident learned Williams was traveling on intercity bus service from Portland to Deschutes County when he deboarded in Salem on Saturday, May 31. Reportedly, Williams arrived at the Union Gospel Mission on Sunday evening just prior to the call for police assistance. The preliminary investigation suggests the incident was not a targeted attack; however, the investigation is ongoing.

Williams was booked into the Marion County Jail on preliminary charges of second-degree assault and unlawful use of a weapon.