A man was stabbed on a street corner in Newberry Condominiums Friday night, two nights after gunmen fired at two condos in the same housing development.
The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office and fire and rescue personnel responded at 9:44 p.m., Friday, to a report of a stabbing at the intersection of Greenthorn Avenue and Cheshire Court. Authorities blocked traffic on Greenthorn, the main artery through the condominiums. The victim was taken to Inova Fairfax Hospital, where he was in stable condition Monday.
Police arrested Jose Umberto Enriques, 28, of Sterling, and charged him with malicious wounding. Kraig Troxell, spokesman for the Sheriffs Office, said alcohol was involved. "The reason for the altercation that led to the stabbing is unclear," he said.
RESIDENTS WATCHED as flashing lights illuminated the dark sky and investigators questioned people. Police interrogated a man in a white T-shirt, with a blood-soaked sleeve and splotches of blood down the front.
During a brief break from the questioning, he spoke his native language, Spanish, and bilingual residents interpreted his account of the incident.
Based on their account, the victim used his cell phone to call and ask the man under interrogation to help him after the attack. Both men had been drinking at a Newberry party prior to the incident. A fight broke out and the victim left the party. The blood on the man’s shirt was the result of him trying to help the victim until an ambulance arrived. The Sheriff's office report, however, said the stabbing occurred at the party.
MARIGZA ALVAREZ, a Newberry resident, stood near the stabbing scene listening to the account. She said she was afraid, particularly considering she works a night shift and has to go to her car in the dark. "We need more police around here," she said. "It’s dangerous."
Joan Winkelman, another Newberry resident, said the stabbing only made matters worse in light of the drive-by shootings two nights before. She said she will be exercising more caution.
"When I go out, I sort of look around," she said. "I’m not going to let it keep me trapped [in my home], but I’ll probably be more careful."
She and a neighbor, Doreen Cannizzaro, said they feel safer when they see deputy sheriffs cruising Greenthorn Avenue. They also appreciate that the condominiums’ streets are well lit.
"The neighbors need to be more observant," Winkelman added. "But they might not want to get involved."
Michelle Foster, another Newberry resident, said she hopes crime does not escalate.
"When it gets close to home, it’s definitely something to be concerned about," she said. "But I think more people are turning their heads away."