A 29-year-old man has been charged after two people were allegedly stabbed and a third person was allegedly assaulted during a morning incident in Adelaide’s northern suburbs.
South Australia Police said officers were called to Thompson Avenue at Salisbury Downs at about 7:25am on Friday, July 31, after receiving multiple reports of a stabbing and a man armed with a sharp weapon.
Two people taken to hospital
A 63-year-old woman and a 63-year-old man sustained injuries during the incident. Police said their injuries were not life-threatening, and both were taken to hospital for treatment.
An 81-year-old man was also allegedly punched by the suspect. He sustained minor injuries, according to police.
The incident prompted an urgent response in the suburban street, with officers locating a man on the nearby Salisbury Highway. Police said the man was tasered before being arrested. A makeshift weapon allegedly used during the incident was seized.
No further details about the condition of the two hospitalised people had been released at the time of publication. Police have not publicly identified any of the three people who were injured.
Salisbury Downs man faces multiple charges
The arrested man, who police said is from Salisbury Downs, has been charged with attempted aggravated robbery, aggravated assault causing harm, aggravated assault and affray.
Police refused him bail. He is due to appear in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court on Monday, where the allegations will begin their formal progression through the court system.
The charges remain allegations and the accused is entitled to the presumption of innocence. The court appearance will provide the first opportunity for the charges to be put before a magistrate, but it does not determine guilt.
Morning reports trigger police response
The timing and location of the incident meant residents and road users in the area may have encountered emergency activity during the morning period. Salisbury Downs is a residential suburb in Adelaide’s north, and Thompson Avenue connects with roads close to the busy Salisbury Highway corridor.
Police said they received multiple reports before officers arrived. Information from members of the public can be important in establishing the sequence of events, particularly where an alleged incident moves from one location to another.
Authorities have not released a detailed account of what allegedly occurred immediately before the two 63-year-olds were injured, or how the 81-year-old man became involved. They have also not disclosed whether the accused was known to any of the injured people.
Case now before the courts
The prosecution will now be required to present evidence supporting each charge through the judicial process. Attempted aggravated robbery and aggravated assault allegations can involve questions about intent, the circumstances surrounding an alleged weapon and the nature of any harm caused.
At this stage, the publicly confirmed facts are limited to the police account of the response, the injuries reported, the arrest and the charges laid. Further details may emerge through court proceedings or subsequent police updates.
The incident follows heightened public attention on violent offending and emergency responses in South Australia. Police have continued to urge people who witness an unfolding violent incident to prioritise their safety, avoid approaching an armed person and contact Triple Zero when urgent assistance is required.
Anyone with information that may assist investigators can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a report online. Information can be provided anonymously.
