Keizer Police Arrest Man Over Stabbing

Nathan Stephens was lodged at the Marion County Jail on charges of first-degree Assault, Unlawful Use of a Weapon and 3 counts of Criminal Mischief.

Salem-News.com

(KEIZER, Ore.) - Keizer Police responded to a reported stabbing at the Keizer 7-Eleven store located at 5550 River Road North in Keizer early this morning at 3:37 AM.

A 7-Eleven employee called 911 to report the incident. When officers arrived on scene, they locate the victim, Christopher Espiritu, who had a single stab wound to his upper left shoulder blade. Mr. Espiritu was transported by ambulance to the Salem Hospital, with non-life threatening injuries. Keizer Police Sgt Jeffrey Goodman, says officers were able to identify the suspect as Nathan Lee Stephens.

"Mr. Stephens was located and taken into custody at his residence, which was less than a block from the 7-Eleven," Goodman said.

Goodman says the investigation determined that Espiritu and Stephens were originally friends. On the date of this stabbing, Mr. Espiritu and Mr. Stephens had gone to 'Mario's Bar' at 5179 River Road North in Keizer.

"While at the bar, Mr. Stephens got into an altercation with a female and Mr. Espiritu intervened to stop it."

After the altercation at "Mario's Bar", Goodman says Espiritu went to the Keizer 7-Eleven Store. While exiting the store, Christopher Espiritu reported he was attacked by Nathan Stephens, who was holding a 6" to 8" steak knife. Espiritu received a single stab wound to his upper left shoulder blade.

Nathan Stephens was lodged at the Marion County Jail on charges of first-degree Assault, Unlawful Use of a Weapon and 3 counts of Criminal Mischief. Bail for the combined charges is $51,000.