U.S. airman who helped thwart French train attack is stabbed

Air Force Airman 1st Class Spencer Stone (right), who helped thwart an attack on a Paris-bound train, meets Chief Master Sgt. Phillip Easton, 86th Airlift Wing command chief, upon his arrival at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, on Aug. 24, 2015.
Air Force Airman 1st Class Spencer Stone (right), who helped thwart an attack on a Paris-bound train, meets Chief Master Sgt. Phillip Easton, 86th Airlift Wing command chief, upon his arrival at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, on Aug. 24, 2015.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Airman 1st Class Spencer Stone, hailed as a hero for helping to tackle a gunman on a French train in August, was stabbed and seriously wounded outside a bar early Thursday in what police said was an alcohol-related fight that had nothing to do with terrorism.

Stone, 23, was stabbed repeatedly in the upper body while out with a group of friends in his hometown and was taken to UC Davis Medical Center, authorities said. They said he was expected to pull through.

Police said two assailants fled in a car. No immediate arrests were made.

"We firmly believe that this is not a terrorism-related event and that it is in no way related to the incident that occurred in France," police said in a statement. They called the stabbing "a nightlife-related incident."

Police said they do not know whether Stone was drinking, but others in his group were.

In a statement, the hospital said Stone's family "appreciates the outpouring of love and support" and requests privacy.

Read Friday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.

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