Apartment stabbing victim's injuries 'very serious'

UPDATE: Someone stabbed a Cedar Rapids man multiple times in the torso early Thursday morning and the suspect is still on the loose, police said.

Officers responded around 3:30 a.m. to 110 Harbet Ave. NW when the incident was reported. Investigators learned an altercation broke out in a hallway of the apartment building.

Stephen A. Allen, 32, was rushed to St. Luke's Hospital and was taken into surgery, police Sgt. Cristy Hamblin said. His injuries were described as “very serious.”

“He was coming over to the apartment to visit a friend, but he never made it,” Hamblin said.

Witnesses told police about a man who was seen either inside the apartment building or just outside around the time Allen was stabbed. He is described as a black male, around 5-foot-10 and 220 pounds, with a shaved head and wearing a black shirt.

“We don't know how he might be involved,” Hamblin said. “We're interested in talking to him.”

Police were unsure how many people were involved in the altercation. No weapon was recovered at the scene, Hamblin said.

Elisha Lathrop, 28, said she returned home around 5 a.m. from her overnight work shift and saw about six police cars and crime scene tape. She lives lives in the apartment building next door with her husband and children.

Lathrop said many young children live in the area and often play outside. She was surprised to hear about the stabbing.

“We've been here a year, and it's a very quiet area,” Lathrop said. “It's one of the safest areas we've lived in Cedar Rapids.”

Crime scene investigators remained on scene at 7 a.m., and police tape surrounded the front of the apartment building.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Linn County CrimeStoppers at 1-800-CS-CRIME. Anonymous tips are accepted and rewards are possible.