CLOSE

What is a Silent Witness and how do you become one?

A 33-year-old man is being held in connection with a knife attack on a Valley Metro bus that left one man dead and another injured Monday morning in Phoenix, officials said.

The suspect and the man who died had an altercation prior to getting on the bus around 10 a.m. on Van Buren Street just east of Central Avenue, according to Phoenix police.

Shortly after the two men stepped onto the bus, the suspect brandished a “large, butcher-like” type of knife and stabbed the other man, said Sgt. Jonathan Howard, a Phoenix police spokesman. He also stabbed another person before exiting the bus, Howard said.

The suspected murder weapon was on the man when officers tracked him down and arrested him near Seventh and Polk streets, Howard said.

The first stabbing victim, a 49-year-old man, was pronounced dead at the scene. A 33-year-old man who was also stabbed was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Based on statements given to police, investigators believe there was a prior relationship “and maybe a prior dispute” between the suspect and the man who was fatally stabbed based on the words exchanged, Howard said.

The relationship between the two men is unknown at the time, Howard said. They also did not appear to be transient or homeless, he said.

Van Buren Street was expected to be closed for several hours in both directions between Central Avenue and First Street.

Authorities encourage anyone with information to contact the Phoenix Police Department at (602) 262-7626 or Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS.

READ MORE:

See our map of homicides in metro Phoenix

Read or Share this story: http://azc.cc/2pBf4c0