KALAMAZOO, Mich. — A Kalamazoo man accused of stabbing three people and punching another is facing multiple charges after being hit by a patrol vehicle while running from police.
William Sylvester Richardson, 39, of Schoolcraft, was charged with three counts of assault with intent to murder, two counts of resisting or obstructing a police officer and one count of aggravated assault.
The string of incidents began Thursday around 10 p.m.
A man, later identified as Richardson, had approached a group in the 100 block of E Michigan Avenue and attacked two women with a knife, police said.
The women, ages 34 and 38, were taken to hospital with severe head and neck injuries. Police said both are in stable condition.
Officers were able to use video footage to identify Richardson.
Police were then contacted by a 25-year-old woman who reported that she had been punched by Richardson while walking on the Kalamazoo mall.
Police said this happened about 10 minutes before he allegedly attacked the two women.
Officers used tracking canines and drones overnight in an attempt to find Richardson.
Around 3:45 a.m. Friday, a 51-year-old man arrived at a hospital with a serious stab wound to the shoulder. He reported that he had been stabbed by the same man as the other victims in Bronson Park.
Shortly after, officers received a tip that Richardson was in the area of Water Street and the mall.
When officers arrived, they found him and attempted to arrest him. This led to a foot chase.
While Richardson was running, he was hit by a patrol vehicle. He was arrested and taken to a hospital for treatment. Police say he is in stable condition.
Richardson will be lodged at the Kalamazoo County Jail after he is released from the hospital.
Because of the force used in hitting him with a patrol vehicle, the Michigan State Police have been called in to investigate. The officer driving the vehicle has been placed on paid administrative leave until the investigation is complete.
Anyone with information on these incidents is asked to contact the Criminal Investigations Division at 269-337-8139 or the Kalamazoo Silent Observer tip line at 269-343-2100, the “P3Tips” app, or online at www.KalamazooSilentObserver.com.
