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Four people injured during stabbing at bar near Pima and McDowell roads in Scottsdale

The suspect was also taken to the hospital for injuries
Scottsdale Playa Bar Stabbing 2-24-24
Posted at 5:37 AM, Feb 24, 2024
and last updated 2024-02-25 00:19:34-05

SCOTTSDALE, AZ — Four people are hurt after a stabbing early Saturday morning in Scottsdale.

Scottsdale police say they were called to the Playa Bar near Pima and McDowell roads just after 1 a.m. Saturday for the report of a stabbing.

When officers arrived, they found that four adults had been stabbed.

Two of the victims were bar patrons and the other two were working security at the bar.

All four victims were transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to Scottsdale PD.

The suspect, identified by police as 42-year-old Joseph D. Eschief, was located and arrested at the scene.

He was taken to a hospital for a head injury and later released into police custody.

Playa Bar co-owner Mike Cuneo was bartending Saturday morning. He said most of their customers are regulars, and he didn't recognize Eschief or the people with him. He said after more than an hour at the bar, Eschief walked up to another group's table and stabbed two men.

"I have no idea why he did it," Cuneo said.

Cuneo said two employees working security were also stabbed while trying to remove the knife-wielding man from the bar. One of those employees hit Eschief with a stool while trying to keep him at bay.

"Even after they were stabbed, they continued to do their job, and that's to protect the customers and the employees," Cuneo said. "They did a great job."

Two other adults were arrested for fighting and disorderly conduct. Police say the fight was separate but related to the stabbing.