6 children among 9 stabbed in apartment complex attack by resident who was asked to leave

Nine people, including six children, were hospitalized, some with life-threatening injuries, when a man went on a stabbing spree at an apartment complex in Boise, Idaho, that is home to many refugee families, police said.

A 30-year-old man, identified by police as Timmy Kinner, was arrested in connection with the attack Saturday night.

The suspect’s motive for attacking specific individuals is under investigation, police said.

“This incident is not a representation of our community,” Boise Police Chief Bill Bones said Saturday evening. “Our community is reeling from this attack.”

Police said Kinner is not a refugee. He is from Los Angeles and had been living temporarily at the Wylie Street Station apartments in Boise until Friday when he was asked to leave, police said.

Authorities did not immediately say why Kinner was asked to move out of the apartment complex.

The rampage occurred in a low-income apartment complex where many refugees have been settled.

As part of former President Barack Obama’s refugee resettlement program of 2012, Boise has become a magnet for refugees, including many from Syria.

“Our city has long stood as a welcoming city — a place of safety and kindness for those fleeing violence and oppression in their homelands,” Boise Mayor Dave Bieter said in a statement Sunday.

“The senseless acts of one disturbed person does not change that. As Boiseans, we come together not only to condemn this vile act, but also to embrace those among us seeking refuge from tyranny, suffering and war. It is who we are and who we will continue to be.”

Kinner was on Sunday being held on nine counts of aggravated battery and six counts of injury to a child, police said.

Four of the victims suffered life-threatening injuries, police said, adding that they do not know if the suspect is connected to the victims in any way.

Boise police got a call at 8:46 p.m. local time about a man with a knife attacking victims at the apartment complex. The suspect was located and taken into custody immediately, police said.

The officers found the stabbing victims in the apartment complex and its parking lot, according to police. Nine were taken to a local hospital.

“The suspect is in custody and being interviewed at this time,” the Boise Police Department said on Twitter. “Victim-witness coordinators and counselors are working with the victims and witnesses to provide them services in the days and weeks ahead.”