This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
A man was arrested late Monday night — and later released — in connection with allegedly stabbing a man on the playground at Kearns Elementary School, Unified police say.
The victim, whom police say is in his mid-40s, allegedly attempted to intervene in an argument between the suspect and the suspect's girlfriend Monday morning, said Unified Police Detective Ken Hansen.
The suspect, who is in his mid-30s — threw a large knife at the victim's back, Hansen said, which made a long slice but didn't touch the victim's spine.
The victim was taken to the hospital in serious condition, but was upgraded to fair condition Monday night, police said.
The knife, which was described as double-edged, "almost like a bayonet," was recovered by police later Monday, and the suspect was arrested at about 11 p.m., Hansen said.
The suspect was first taken to the hospital for a hand injury he had suffered previous to the stabbing incident, Hansen said. Doctors said his injury would require surgery, so he was refused admittance to the Salt Lake County jail and released, Hansen said.
The victim, whose address is the same as the suspect's, told police he didn't want to press charges or go further with the investigation, Hansen said.
But because of the amount of evidence gathered by police, Hansen said the district attorney's office will decide whether to pursue the case or not.
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