A Knife Attack Targets Two Minors in Valencia; Suspect Fled on a Bicycle
A 16-year-old boy was stabbed by an unidentified assailant on a Tuesday night in the Valencian district of Campanar. He was walking with another 16-year-old boy when the attack occurred on Valle de la Ballestera street near the intersection with Pio XII Avenue. During the assault, the attacker fled the scene, and his companion escaped without injury. The injured teen sustained cuts to the face, arms, and hands, along with two stab wounds, one on the shoulder and one on the hip. He used a stone to shield his partner and helped to deter the attacker at a critical moment.
Initial accounts indicate that the perpetrator did not appear to act out of hatred linked to the sexual orientation of the victims, though authorities have yet to confirm any motive. The incident began around 1:30 a.m. as the two minors walked calmly along the street. A middle-aged man riding a bicycle approached them without warning and produced a butterfly-style knife in an apparently unprovoked strike, according to witnesses at the scene.
One of the 16-year-old boys managed to flee unharmed, while the other sustained injuries to the shoulder and hip. He fought off the attacker to the extent possible and attempted to shield himself with his arms from the stab wounds. The surviving teen then picked up a stone and, through that action, caused the attacker to retreat from the area.
Police and emergency responders were dispatched rapidly to the location, but the suspect had already disappeared. The injured Venezuelan national was transported by ambulance to Valencia Clinical Hospital, where medical staff treated two stab wounds, including a deep wound to the shoulder and several defensive injuries on the arms and hands. Fortunately, none of the injuries penetrated vital organs, and the teen is recovering well under medical care. At the scene, officers gathered evidence and interviewed witnesses to piece together the sequence of events and identify the assailant.
The other young man, who escaped unharmed, managed to subdue the immediate danger by throwing a stone in the attacker’s direction. He remained on the scene until authorities arrived and provided a description to assist in the investigation. The National Police are leading the inquiry and are seeking to identify the suspected attacker, described as a middle-aged man traveling by bicycle. The incident is under ongoing review to determine whether there was any connection to other similar disturbances reported in the area by the time, including a nearby incident involving a person with similar characteristics on a bicycle attempting to attack a passerby.
Officials emphasize that the investigation is in its early stages and that the motive is still being established. Officials also noted that the rapid response by police and emergency medical teams helped to stabilize the situation and ensure the safety of other pedestrians in the area. Local authorities continue to work with national law enforcement to review surveillance footage, collect witness statements, and identify potential leads that could bring the suspect to justice. Community members are urged to remain vigilant and report any information that might assist investigators in clarifying the circumstances surrounding this assault. [citation: Valencia Police Department]