Man charged in downtown stabbing thanks to quick-acting Good Samaritan

The quick-thinking actions of a Good Samaritan and fast response by officers led to the apprehension of a stabbing suspect and the survival of the victim last week.

Around 2:30 p.m., on Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021, a man was randomly stabbed by another man in the 800 block of 3 Street S.E. The victim was able to flag down a passerby who then called police. The Good Samaritan followed the suspect from a safe distance while updating police on his direction of travel. Officers quickly arrived on scene and were able to arrest the suspect without further incident. A search of the suspect following the arrest revealed he was carrying multiple knives.

The victim was transported to hospital in life-threatening condition. After treatment, the victim was upgraded to stable condition and released from care several days later.

At this time there is nothing to indicate this was a targeted attack and the motive remains unknown.

Tyler CRYING-HEAD, 39, has been charged with one count each of aggravated assault and weapon dangerous to public. He will next appear in court on Friday, Dec. 17, 2021.

“We wish to thank the Good Samaritan for his willingness to intervene to help someone in need on a downtown street, and for his courage in safely following the suspect while providing critical information to responding officers. Your actions are attributed to the victim surviving the attack and the suspect being apprehended,” says District 1 General Investigations Unit Staff Sgt. Kurt Jacobs.

Case #21488968