Several local law enforcement agencies responded to a reported stabbing at 418 Stewart Avenue at approximately 7:43 p.m. Wednesday, according the Cornell University Police Department.
The victim — a 27 year old Dryden Resident unaffiliated with Cornell University — was visiting someone in the area when he noticed people removing contents from his vehicle, according to an Ithaca Police Department release. After an altercation, the victim suffered a knife wound to the leg.
The report says witnesses described the perpetrators as two black males. One was possibly wearing a red shirt and the other had a “man bun.” Both fled the scene toward the cemetery in the direction of West Campus and one may have been carrying a semi-automatic hand-gun.
The victim was transported to a local hospital for further treatment and is expected to recover.
CUPD Police Chief Kathy Zoner recommended that people avoid the area and instituted a “shelter in place” directive during the search for the suspect. The area was declared cleared at 9:27 p.m.
The suspects are reportedly still at large. Local police have increased patrols in the area and have increased the presence of blue light escorts, according to the report.
Interim President Hunter Rawlings called the incident “jolting” and “particularly troubling,” especially after the fatal stabbing of Ithaca College student Anthony Nazaire in August, in an email sent out to the Cornell community.
“One act of violence near our campus is one too many,” he said. “I want to assure you that the safety of our campus community is our number one priority, and we are committed to doing all we can to assist the police in bringing those responsible for these crimes to justice, and to taking all available steps to promote the safety and security of our campus.”
Despite rumors to the contrary, police confirmed that there were no additional incidents on campus.