Stabbing Sends 2 Victims To Hospital; Suspect In Custody After NW OKC Crime Spree

A metro man left a path of destruction and sent two people to the hospital during a violent crime spree. News 9's Jennifer Pierce has the story.

Monday, September 21st 2020, 6:13 pm



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A metro man left a path of destruction and sent two people to the hospital during a violent crime spree.

Police said Austin Harris, 43, is accused of stabbing two people and then was later caught after breaking into a northwest Oklahoma City home.

The two stabbing victims were rushed to OU Medical Center on Sunday. One victim is in the intensive care unit in critical condition and the other person spoke to News 9 from his hospital bed.

In only a matter of seconds Pedro Gonzalez, 38, and his neighbor found themselves fighting for their lives. 

“As soon as I turned around, she was already getting stabbed by the perpetrator and I had to stop it,” said Gonzalez. 

Gonzalez said Harris was his neighbor’s former roommate and believed that was why Harris busted into her home and attacked her. Gonzalez and his girlfriend were there and witnessed Harris grab a knife from the kitchen and viciously attack their 68-year-old friend.

“He was standing behind her and stabbing her,” said Gonzalez. “And trying to cut her throat. It was a dire situation.”

Gonzalez was also stabbed several times as he tried to defend his neighbor. As he was on the phone with 911 the suspect took off out a back door.

Both victims are now recovering in the hospital and Gonzalez is counting his blessings.

“I am very grateful and very blessed,” said Gonzalez. “I’m glad the outcome is we’re all alive.”

He was also happy to hear Harris was caught later the same day. This time it was Harris who was taken to the hospital. Witnesses called 911 when they saw three people hitting Harris with what appeared to be a golf club.”

Caller: “They beat the (expletive) out of this man. I guess he broke into this house, they got him on the ground.”

The residents who caught Harris inside their home and wearing their clothes, took matters into their own hands until police got there.

People in the area were relieved to hear he is off the streets.

“Got caught, thank God,” said Karen Effinger, neighbor. “Me and my neighbors were like thank you.”

Police said Harris is still in the hospital with a fractured arm and a head injury. He will be transferred to the Oklahoma County Detention Center when he is released.

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