UPDATED: Two stabbed, one beaten in Bloomington; suspect in custody

Two people were stabbed and another person was beaten Wednesday afternoon in Bloomington. (Adam Studzinski/WJBC)
Two people were stabbed and another person was beaten Wednesday afternoon in Bloomington. (Adam Studzinski/WJBC)

By Joe Ragusa and Adam Studzinski

BLOOMINGTON – Two people were stabbed and another was attacked in downtown Bloomington Wednesday afternoon.

A police spokesman said two people were stabbed on the 100 block of W. Washington St. at 2:25 p.m. The spokesman said their injuries do not appear to be life-threatening.

Police said an elderly man was beaten in a nearby attack. Police blocked off the intersections of Washington and Main and Jefferson and Main Wednesday afternoon after the attack.

One of the victims was stabbed near the front of the Habitat for Humanity of McLean County’s office at the corner of Jefferson and Main streets. Executive Director Stan Geison said one of his employees came to the aid of the victim.

“Somebody accosted him, hit him in the head a couple times, (and) stabbed with a knife in the leg,” said Geison. “He looked like he’s doing fine. He was probably in shock.

“(He’s) unfortunately a visitor from Germany traveling Route 66, so we were disappointed that he had that experience here in America.”

Police say 35-year-old Jason Hopkins of Bloomington was taken into custody and no other suspects are currently being sought. Police are seeking multiple counts of aggravated battery.

Joe Ragusa can be reached at [email protected]. Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…