Update: A Bend man, Tony L. Williams, has been named as the suspect in the Sunday night mass stabbing in Salem.

It happened shortly after 7:15 PM on Sunday night. 11 victims were initially reported transported to Salem Health’s hospital after a suspect stabbed multiple people at the Union Gospel Mission, just north of downtown Salem, on June 1st. But after looking around the area, police found an additional person stabbed, bringing the total to 12 victims

Salem Police said the initial incident started in the lobby of the Union Gospel Mission and moved outside of the building. After the suspect had stabbed employees inside and other victims while they were sitting outside the shelter, Williams was arrested across the street from the building. (Union Gospel Mission sits directly across the street from the Salem Police Department’s main precinct and headquarters.) Video evidence was captured of the incident, but it is not available for release at this time.

According to a Statemen Journal report and video posted by UGM Executive Director Craig Smith, several “staff and bystanders” were stabbed, including those who tried to help. Two staff members of UGM are still in the hospital with serious injuries as of June 2nd, one of whom had been stabbed multiple times.

Salem Police confirmed that there were 12 victims total, 10 shelter guests and two employees of UGM. Of the 12, five of the stabbed remain in the hospital with injuries.

According to a sign on the door and multiple news reports, Salem’s Union Gospel Mission building was closed the morning after the stabbing, with blood still visible in the Union Gospel Mission lobby. But, Craig Smith stated on UGM Salem’s video that the mission was able to serve breakfast this morning and plans on being fully back open by this evening.

Leading up to the attack at 7:15 PM, Williams had been checking his belongings into the UGM shelter for an overnight stay. At some point in the process, he pulled out an 8-inch knife and stabbed an employee and began attacking others who helped.

According to the Salem Reporter, Williams was headed towards Deschutes County via bus from Portland. His stop in Salem has not yet been explained, nor has it been established that this was not a targeted attack. However, Williams has a history of mental illness and had previously been charged with menacing after he pulled a knife on a person, according to reported court records from Deschutes County.

Some questions have been answered. However, what triggered this attack and whether it was planned are still unknown.

Despite the recent incident in Salem, security at the Yamhill County Gospel Rescue Mission in McMinnville remains unchanged, according to the staff I spoke with today. The shelter, much like the Union Gospel Mission in Salem, continues to provide a safe haven for those in need, offering emergency housing, warm meals, and resources to help individuals get back on their feet. If you’d like to learn more about their ongoing efforts or ways to support them, you can reach out directly via phone or online.

-Andrew Brunello