UPDATE 12:18 A.M.— The Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office has given an update on last night’s stabbing at Agava, on Ithaca’s East Hill.
Upon arrival, deputies say learned that two people were stabbed during an altercation. Preliminary investigations indicate that during the altercation, a 21-year-old bystander, attempted to intervene and was subsequently stabbed. The altercation continued and another subject, a 26-year-old, was stabbed before the suspect fled the scene in an unknown direction.”
A prior statement from the Cornell University Police indicated that a suspect vehicle, a white Nissan Altima, was later located unattended in Lansing. The Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office says they do not have any information to substantiate that earlier CUPD report.
The sheriff’s office also offered additional details on the suspect.
The suspect is described as a black male, between 5’8” and 5’10”, late 20s to early 30s, wearing a black leather jacket and a Chicago Bulls baseball hat.
The other person pictured in the photograph is a person of interest. Anyone with information or who may have witnessed the altercation can contact the sheriff’s office at (607)-257-1345 or the Sheriff’s Office confidential tip line at (607)-266-5420.
The bystander was transported to a nearby trauma center and is in critical condition. Graves was transported to another trauma center and is critical, but stable condition.
The Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the New York State Police, Cornell University Police, Ithaca Police Department and Bangs Ambulance.
Cornell University released the following statement Thursday:
“Cornell was notified by the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Department that a Cornell student was stabbed while attempting to intervene during an altercation at a local restaurant last evening,” John Carberry, Senior Director of Media Relations and News. “Our prayers go out to our student and to the second victim of the attack, and to their families and friends. Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact the Sheriff’s Office at (607) 257-1345 or the Sheriff’s Office confidential tip line at (607) 266-5420.”
Editor’s Note: The names of the victims were removed for privacy reasons.
Earlier —
ITHACA, N.Y. — At least two people were stabbed and police are searching for at least one suspect after an altercation at Agave Restaurant late Wednesday.
At approximately 11:56 p.m., Wednesday, the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office responded to Agava Restaurant, on Pine Tree Road for a report of multiple individuals with stab wounds.
Tompkins County Dispatch reported there were three individuals with stab wounds following an altercation. Once on the scene, law enforcement reported two individuals with stab wounds.
The actual number of people that were stabbed is unconfirmed, according to the release from Cornell University Police.
Witnesses described the suspect as a black male, between 5’8″ and 5’10”, wearing a black leather jacket. The suspect fled the area in a white Nissan Altima, which was later located unattended in Lansing.
The Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office reported that more suspects may have been involved but are unidentified at this time.
Police ask anyone with information to call 911 or the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office at (607)-272-2444 or Cornell Police at (607)-255-1111.
Cornell Police reminds the community to walk in groups and utilize the RAVE Guardian app when on or near campus.