Stabbing suspect turns himself in, hands over knife

Police said a suspect in a stabbing Tuesday night turned himself in and handed over the knife.

Police were dispatched to St. Luke's Hospital around 7:50 p.m. to see man who had been stabbed in the abdomen in the 2100 block of North Towne Court NE. Before they arrived, another 911 caller said he had been involved in the stabbing.

Officers arrested Warren E. Stratford Jr., 27, of 346 18thSt. SE, on suspicion of assault with a weapon causing serious injury. He is accused of stabbing Julius Hill, 36, with a knife, causing injuries to his spleen and kidney, police said.

Hill, who got a ride to St. Luke's after the incident, underwent surgery and is expected to live, police said.

Sgt. Cristy Hamblin said Stratford still had the knife when officers arrived to talk to him, and gave it to them.

Investigators are still sorting out the details about what caused the argument and where exactly it happened, Hamblin said. They said Stratford and Hill knew each other.

Stratford was transported to the Linn County Jail, where he remained after an initial court appearance. Bail is set at $10,000 cash.