St. Croix Co. Sheriff: Teen dead, 4 adults in critical condition following stabbing on Apple River

Authorities say one person has died and four people are in critical condition after a stabbing in Somerset, Wis. late Saturday afternoon.

According to St. Croix County Sheriff Scott Knudson, deputies were first called to the Apple River north of the Sunrise Bridge around 3:45 p.m. for a report of a “number of people who had been stabbed.”

When deputies arrived, they found five people who had been stabbed, and discovered the suspect had already left the scene by the time they arrived.

People riding in tubes were then evacuated, and deputies began life-saving measures.

Knudson says a total of four people were taken to Regions Hospital for their injuries, with two of them being flown to the hospital. He added all four – a woman and three men – are believed to be in their 20s.

Sheriff Knudson says the fifth person, identified as a 17-year-old Minnesota boy, died at Lakeview.

“Chaotic, scary, I’m sure that anybody that witnessed this will never forget it. So it was tragic. I feel real bad for the families,” said Knudson.

The suspect – identified by Knudson as a 52-year-old Minnesota man – was eventually found about 90 minutes after the stabbing happened, and was arrested without incident. Knudson adds the agencies were working off of a photo taken by someone who was in the area when the stabbing happened.

As of Saturday night, the suspect is in custody at the St. Croix County Jail, where investigators are trying to interview him.

Sheriff Knudson says he hasn’t seen an attack like this in at least 15 years in the area.

He adds charges could be filed in the case as early as Monday or Tuesday.

The names of those involved weren’t immediately provided by authorities.

“He walked over and… pushing people. First thing I think I seen was somebody hit the rock, you know cut their stomach open, but he actually pulled out a knife, and he cut four to five people, it was crazy,” said Kemany Coleman of Maple Grove.

Police are asking community members to avoid the area as they continue their investigation and collect evidence. Sheriff Knudson said during Saturday’s news conference he expected crews to be searching the area for hours, as they were still looking for the weapon used in the stabbing.

As of this time, police say there is no longer a threat to the community.

The investigation is ongoing.

Saturday’s news conference can be watched in full in the video player below.