Unprovoked Movie Theatre Stabbing In Santa Rosa Sends 1 To Hospital

SANTA ROSA- A man was stabbed while watching a movie in a theater in Santa Rosa on Wednesday afternoon, police said.

Officers responded at about 4 p.m. to a report of a stabbing inside the Roxy Stadium 14 theater complex at 85 Santa Rosa Ave., according to police.

They arrived to find a 21-year-old victim who had been stabbed several times. The suspect approached from behind, stabbed the victim, then ran out of the theater toward the Prince Memorial Greenway, police said.

Witnesses called 911 and described the suspect,who was found minutes later in the Prince Memorial Greenway at A Street. A 23-year-old man, whose name has not yet been released, was taken into custody, police said.

The victim was taken to a hospital to be treated for his stab wounds, which are considered life-threatening.

The weapon was recovered at the theater, according to police.

Investigators believe the stabbing was unprovoked and that the victim did not know the suspect.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the Police Department's violent crimes investigation team at (707) 543-3590.

-Bay City News, image via Matthew Berggren/Flickr