1-year-old stabbed outside synagogue in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA -- A 1-year-old was stabbed on Saturday outside of a synagogue in Philadelphia.

It happened just after noon in Center City outside Temple Beth Zion-Beth Israel (BZBI) synagogue.

Police say the boy was stabbed in the left forearm.

The child was taken to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia where he is listed in stable condition, according to police.

Officers say no arrests have been made and no weapons were recovered at the scene.

In a statement to Action News, the synagogue's executive director said the stabbing was not an antisemitic attack and that none of the parties involved were connected to the synagogue.

The executive director went on to say that an individual, who is known to the police, was experiencing a mental health crisis.

The statement from the synagogue read in part, "I am proud of the BZBI staff and security team who followed appropriate protocols and procedures needed to not only ensure the safety and well-being of our congregants and children attending Religious School but also to provide medical aid to the family while they waited for an ambulance to arrive. While this is an ongoing investigation, all reports seem to indicate that this is not an anti-semitic attack, but unfortunately part of the tragic increase in crime that we have been seeing in the city."

Officials also said the stabbing was linked to another incident that took place several blocks away.

According to police, another stabbing took place at approximately 8:30 a.m. Saturday on the 1300 block of Chancellor Street.

In that case, investigators say a 24-year-old woman was stabbed in the chest and finger.

That incident is also being investigated by police.

As the investigation continues, residents told Action News they're concerned over the unusual violence in the area.

"I heard a guy shouting, 'Omg! Omg!' So I looked out the window and the black hoodie guy was running away," said Ashley Jeong from Center City. "The baby was crying."

"I think it's terribly disturbing," added Andy Shull from Rittenhouse. "I think something needs to be done about this and what's going on is uncalled for."

Anyone with information on this stabbing is asked to contact the police.

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