Saturday, February 03, 2001

Austin police officers are holding a 17-year-old male in custody following an apparent stabbing near St. Augustine Church and Pacelli High School in Austin Friday afternoon.

At approximately 3:15 Friday, a cell phone call was placed to the Austin Law Enforcement Center reporting a 17-year-old male had been stabbed in the back. Police located the victim in a parked vehicle being attended by a friend. The victim was transported by ambulance to the Austin Medical Center where he was treated and released.

Shortly after the call, a vehicle carrying five juveniles was stopped at the corner of First Street NW and First Drive NW, near The Cedars of Austin. The five suspects were apprehended and the 17-year-old male was placed under arrest for felony assault.

According to police reports, witnesses at the scene indicate that the suspect and victim knew each other and were involved in a verbal argument which escalated to a physical fight. After several blows were exchanged, the suspect went to a vehicle and then returned striking the victim once in the back with a knife.

Early reports indicate that the stabbing victim was a cousin of a Pacelli High student, but that no Pacelli students were involved.

Police were not releasing further details of the incident.