Three people stabbed in North Belle Vernon

By JEREMY SELLEW
jsellew@yourmvi.com

Three people were stabbed multiple times following an altercation at Just A Tavern on the 500 block of Broad Avenue early Thursday morning.

North Belle Vernon police Chief Eugene Lipari said his department received the call at 1:30 a.m.

According to witnesses, nothing out of the ordinary was happening in the bar before the stabbing took place.

“A witness who ended up helping the patients said everything was calm inside. Then boom, it got out of control quickly,” Lipari said. “All the stab wounds were made by a knife.”

While police are not releasing the victims’ identities, Lipari confirmed a male and female victim – both in their 40s – were transported from the area by ambulance to the North Belle Vernon fire department where they were transported by multiple helicopters to Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh. Lipari said the female had “life-threatening injuries.”

“As of this time, we have no update on any of the patients’ conditions,” Lipari said.

After the patients were transported to the landing zone, police on scene continued their investigation at the bar.

Just after 2 a.m., emergency dispatchers notified Rostraver police they received a call from Candlewood Suites saying a man entered the motel bleeding.

Officers said a 50-year-old male staying on the third floor was stabbed multiple times in the chest and abdomen and requested EMS personnel to expedite to the scene. Officers confirmed the stabbing was related to the incident at Just A Tavern.

“He walked from the bar back toward the hotel,” Lipari said. “He was eventually picked up and taken the rest of the way to the hotel.”

That patient, who was alert and conscious, was transported by ambulance to Forbes Regional.

Detectives at the scene were observed taking photographs of a white SUV parked outside of establishment, while officers and additional detectives were seen entering an apartment just steps away from the bar. Lipari said the victims all arrived at the bar inside the SUV.

Police do not have a suspect in custody.

“County detectives went to AGH and conducted interviews. They are currently conducting additional interviews,” Lipari said. “I’m sure we’re going to get enough information to narrow things down from there.”

Lipari said his department is reviewing surveillance video from inside and outside the bar.

North Belle Vernon police were assisted by officers from Rostraver, West Newton and Monongahela. Westmoreland County detectives were requested to the scene by police. Rostraver-West Newton and Mon Valley EMS crews were dispatched to the original scene.