1st LD Writethru: U.S. airman who helped stop French train attack stabbed in California

U.S. Air Force airman Spencer Stone, who helped stop a gunman on a French train in August, was stabbed early Thursday morning in Sacramento, the state capital of California, Air Force officials said.

Airman First Class Stone was out with friends when he was stabbed multiple times in his upper body and was in critical condition around 12:45 a.m. near some popular bars in downtown Sacramento, Sacramento police officer Traci Trapani said.

Trapani said Stone was leaving one of the bars and walking east when he had an argument with an "unknown suspect." The assailant pulled out a knife and stabbed the man multiple times.

Stone was transported to a local hospital, and was currently receiving treatment and in stable condition, said Lt. Col. Christopher Karns, an Air Force spokesman.

Stone, who grew up near Sacramento, and friends Anthony Sadler, 23, and Army National Guard Spec. Alek Skarlatos, 22, are credited with taking down Ayoub El Khazzani, a 25-year-old Moroccan, after he opened fire on a train traveling from Amsterdam to Paris on Aug. 21. Their actions averted a possible mass shooting, authorities said.

Thursday's incident remained under investigation by local police.

Sacramento police tweeted that "the assault incident is not related to a terrorist act. Assault occurred near a bar, alcohol is believed to be a factor."

"There's no motive," Trapani said. "It appears to be a random deal."

Reports said detectives were looking for footage from a security video camera at a liquor store near the scene that may reveal details of the altercation.

"His injuries are serious but he is in stable condition," Air Force Secretary Deborah James said Thursday afternoon.

"Many of you know that he risked his life weeks ago to save many lives during a French train attack. The circumstances for today's incident are under investigation by the local law enforcement," he said. Endit