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.