Salem, OR — A mass stabbing at Salem’s Union Gospel Mission (UGM) on Sunday evening left 10 guests and one employee hospitalized, according to Mark Hunter, the shelter’s director of community engagement. All victims survived the attack, Hunter confirmed.
Salem Police Department responded to the incident shortly after 7:15 p.m. Sunday following reports of multiple people stabbed at the shelter, located at 777 Commercial Street N.E., directly across from the Salem Police Station.
Eleven victims were transported to Salem Hospital with varying injuries. By Monday morning, at least one victim had been released and returned to the shelter’s parking lot.
Police spokesperson Angela Hedrick provided limited details about the stabbing, including the motive or whether the suspect was among the shelter’s guests. Hedrick indicated that more information would be released later Monday.
The shelter’s lobby remained stained with blood Monday morning, a stark reminder of the violence that disrupted the community’s refuge.
The Union Gospel Mission serves a vulnerable population, making the incident particularly distressing for shelter staff and guests.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the attack.
