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Jose Santomas Baez, 24, is charged with two counts of Felony Aggravated Assault, two counts of Misdemeanor Simple Assault, and one count of Terroristic Threats in connection with the incident, according to a press release from Hazleton City Police.
The unusual series of events began at 4:02 a.m. when officers pulled over a silver Honda Civic that ran a red light near Broad and Church Streets. Inside, they found a man bleeding heavily from his face, who told officers he had just been stabbed at Flow-X, a bar on 511 West Broad Street.
The officers escorted the vehicle to Lehigh Valley Hospital–Hazleton for medical treatment, police said. While investigating at the hospital, officers were notified that a second stabbing victim had also arrived for treatment.
According to police, Baez became enraged during an altercation at Flow-X and stabbed the first victim. When a bystander attempted to intervene, Baez allegedly attacked them, stabbing them in the face and neck area. One of the victims was transferred to a higher-level trauma center; their condition is currently unknown.
Baez was taken to the Luzerne County Correctional Facility for overnight arraignment. Additional charges may follow, and police have referred the case to the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board due to the incident occurring at a licensed establishment.
Hazleton City Police reminded the public that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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