FLAGSTAFF – Coconino County Sheriff’s Deputies and Detectives are investigating an alleged assault during which the victim claims he was stabbed while fighting with an assailant who forced his way into the victim’s home. On Sunday, March 23, 2014 at approximately 2:00 pm Sheriff’s Office 911 Dispatchers received a call from an individual who reported he was stabbed by an intruder in his home. According to the victim/caller the suspect left his residence before the victim called the Sheriff’s Office.

Upon their arrival at the residence located in a west Doney Park neighborhood, deputies examined the victim and saw that he had sustained a single stab wound in his abdomen. He received on scene medical attention from Summit Fire District medics and was transported to the Flagstaff Medical Center by Guardian Ambulance where he was treated for non-life threatening injuries.

According to the victim, he answered a knock at his front door and was greeted by an adult male that was unknown to him. The stranger introduced himself as a private contractor and offered to do inexpensive roof repairs on the victim’s home. When the victim declined the offer, the unidentified suspect allegedly forced his way into the victim’s home. The two were engaged in a physical struggle and worked their way into the kitchen. According to the victim he obtained a small knife off of the counter to defend himself, and during the ensuing struggle was stabbed in the stomach.

The alleged intruder is described as an adult male with dark complexion, possibly Native American or Hispanic, with dark very short cropped hair almost giving the impression the suspect was bald, a dark goatee, approximately 5’11” in height, weighing approximately 190 pounds, and approximately 35 to 40 years of age. The alleged suspect was last seen wearing a black t-shirt and blue jean pants and exited the residence through the kitchen door.

Investigators believe this alleged crime is an isolated occurrence; the Sheriff’s Office has not received any reports of similar incidents. Detectives are pursuing this investigation in an effort to identify a suspect and to determine what occurred. If you live in the Doney Park area and have been contacted by a subject claiming to be a private contractor, offering inexpensive home repairs, you are asked to call the Sheriff’s Office.

Community members who believe they may have information regarding this alleged crime or individuals who observe something they believe is suspicious are urged to call the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office at (928) 774-4523, toll free at 1-800-338-7888, Coconino County Silent Witness at (928) 774-6111 (toll free at 1-877-292-7463). For all emergencies please dial 911.