Spencer Stone, American who helped stop Paris train attacker, stabbed in California

Spencer Stone, one of three Americans who helped foil an attack on a French train this summer, is in a serious condition after being stabbed outside a bar in Sacramento in what authorities have described as a “nightlife-related incident” that is not being investigated as a terrorist act.

The Sacramento police department said officers responded to a report of a stabbing in an area of midtown Sacramento known for its nightlife at 12.46am on Thursday. The victim, identified later by police as Stone, was believed to be out with a group of friends when a physical altercation broke out, and led to him being stabbed multiple times in his upper body, police said in a statement.

Stone was taken to UC Davis Medical Center, where he is being treated for serious but non-life-threatening injuries, according to authorities. The medical center has released a statement on behalf of Stone’s family that describes his condition as “serious”.

“The family of Airman Spencer Stone appreciates the outpouring of love and support,” the statement also said.

Sacramento police detectives were called to the scene to assist with the investigation. Police said during a morning press conference that they are searching for two adult males who fled the scene in a dark-colored car. No arrests have yet been made.

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“The assault incident is not related to a terrorist act,” the police said on Twitter. “Assault occurred near a bar; alcohol is believed to be a factor.”

During the press conference, police said that they did not know whether Stone had been drinking, but that he and friends had visited bars in the area and some in his group were drinking.

It appears the confrontation began as a “verbal argument” that escalated into a physical fight, a Sacramento police department spokesman said. He emphasized that the incident was not related to the victim’s life-saving action on a French train.

Sacramento mayor Kevin Johnson offered his condolences to Stone and his family.

“My thoughts and prayers go out to Spencer Stone and the Stone family,” Johnson wrote on Twitter. “I ask that everyone respect the family’s privacy at this time.”

In August, Stone was on a high-speed train from Amsterdam to Paris with two American friends when he noticed a gunman carrying an AK-47. Together with Anthony Sadler and Alek Skarlatos, Stone tackled the suspected Morocco-born Ayoub El-Khazani to the ground after he opened fire on the train.

Stone, who is assigned to Travis air force base in California, almost had his thumb sliced off during the struggle when the gunman pulled a box cutter and stabbed him. Medics stitched it back on to his hand after the confrontation.

Stone, along with Sadler and Skarlatos and British businessman Chris Norman, were awarded the Légion d’honneur, France’s highest honour, by the president, François Hollande, for their roles in stopping the suspected terrorist attack.