A 24-year-old man was stabbed once in his left thigh, and a 34-year-old man was stabbed in the lower left side of his back, police said. The younger victim was taken to Jefferson University Hospital by medics and the second man was taken to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania by a private vehicle.
Both victims told police they had not been involved in the argument, and both were listed in stable condition Monday night, said Officer Jillian Russell, a police spokeswoman.
Information on what sparked the argument and a description of the assailant were not available. The club's owner was unavailable for comment. The 12,000-square-foot club is open Thursday through Saturday but also hosts special events, according to its website.
About 24 hours earlier just a block away, a 30-year-old man was stabbed on Walnut near 16th. He was taken to Hahnemann University Hospital in stable condition, police said. Cops were still unsure of the motive behind that stabbing.
Walnut Street was its usual self Monday night. Joggers, cyclists and an elderly accordionist mingled with the happy-hour crowd. Passersby told the Daily News they had no idea that three people had been stabbed earlier.
"Working over here, you always forget that you're in a very dangerous city," said Kathleen Vecchia, who works nearby. "It's not a bad area, that's crazy."
Michael Ommundsen of South Philadelphia said he considers the neighborhood safe despite the violence. He'll still be looking over his shoulder as usual, though.
"The city's the city," he said, before mounting a bicycle and pedaling away. "Your head has to always be on a swivel." n
Contact Phillip Lucas at 215-854-5914, lucasp@phillynews.com, or follow @UnPhiltered on Twitter. Read his blog at phillyconfidential.com.
