Attempted Murder Charge For Suspect In Westport Stabbing: Update

WESTPORT, CT — An 18-year-old Guilford man has been charged with criminal attempt at murder in connection with the Monday afternoon stabbing incident in a parking lot in Westport, according to police.

The victim of the attack, a 33-year-old Greenwich woman, is being treated in Norwalk Hospital and is reported to be in stable condition, said Westport Police Lt. Anthony Prezioso.

"There is no known relationship between the suspect and victim in this incident," the lieutenant added.

Arrested in the 1 p.m. attack was Ellis Tibere, who also has been charged with first-degree assault and possession of a deadly weapon. He is being held in lieu of bail of $1 million; if he posts bail, he will be arraigned in Norwalk Superior Court on Jan. 16, but if he does not post bail, he will be arraigned in court on Tuesday.

"Statements obtained allege that Tibere opened the door to the victim's vehicle as she was parked in the lot and seated inside of it awaiting an appointment," Prezioso said. "Tibere was reportedly wearing a mask and brandishing a knife when he opened the door. The victim attempted to kick the suspect in self-defense at which time he inflicted multiple stab wounds to her leg."

Tibere "has confessed to his involvement in the incident," Prezioso said, and "it appears the victim and location were chosen at random."

Police officers found a knife and mask in Tibere's possession when he was stopped soon after the incident, Prezioso said.

The Westport Police Department is classifying the investigation as "still active and on-going."

Afternoon update: A woman suffered serious stab wounds and was hospitalized Monday afternoon when she was attacked in a parking lot on the Post Road East in Westport, according to police.

A male suspect was apprehended a short while later on the Sherwood Island Connector, but Westport police officials have not released his identity, nor have they said whether he has been charged.

The incident began just after 1 p.m. when officers were called to the parking lot of 1137 Post Road East on a report of the stabbing, and that the suspect had fled the scene in a vehicle.

"Officers and emergency responders located and rendered aid to a female victim that had
suffered multiple stab wounds," said Lt. Anthony Prezioso in a statement. "The victim sustained serious injuries as a result of this incident and was transported to Norwalk Hospital for further treatment."

A description of the suspect and the vehicle was given to police, and "patrol units
immediately set a perimeter around the area in an attempt to locate the suspect," according to the lieutenant.

"A Westport officer then observed the suspect's vehicle traveling southbound on the Sherwood Island Connector a short time after the initial report was received. He came to an immediate stop
when signaled and was compliant with officers at the scene."

Upon detention of the suspect, police temporarily closed the Sherwood Island Connector for about an hour to conduct the investigation, but the road has since been reopened.

"This suspect is currently in police custody and there is no additional threat to public safety relative to this investigation," Prezioso said.

Members of the department's patrol division and detective bureau are in the midst of the investigation, and officials expect to release more information in the near future.

Original story: Motorists were asked by Westport police to avoid a portion of the Sherwood Island Connector Monday afternoon due to an "ongoing investigation" into a stabbing incident.

Police officials did not disclose details of the incident, but a police spokesperson confirmed to Patch that such an investigation was underway. The department was planning to release more information later on Monday.

The road temporarily was closed between the Post Road East and Greens Farms Road for the investigation, but it was reopened about an hour later, reports Westport Now.