Gang activity not suspected in stabbing

Police on Friday were investigating a stabbing that occurred Thursday evening and left one man hospitalized.

No arrests had been made as of earlier Friday evening. Gang activity was not suspected.

The victim, John Hampton, 43, of Porterville, remained at Sierra View District Hospital in stable condition Friday night, a hospital official reported.

According to a news release, at about 7 p.m. Thursday, Porterville police officers responded to the 100 block of West Olive Avenue to check on an assault victim.

Officers arrived and found a man — later identified as Hampton — who had been stabbed multiple times.

Porterville Police Chief Chuck McMillan said the weapon used in the stabbing was determined to be a knife.

McMillan said preliminary information indicates that Hampton told investigators he was walking in the area of Olive Avenue and F Street when about five to six Hispanic men, between the ages of 18 and 30, approached him.

Then, for reasons unknown by the victim, the suspects allegedly began assaulting him without being provoked.

During the assault, McMillan said Hampton was stabbed about three or four times in the upper torso area.

The suspects then took off, northbound on foot, in the area of the Salvation Army, McMillan said. The victim moved to the area of Hockett Street and Olive Avenue.

"The victim’s information was vague as far as descriptions," McMillan said, "and we don’t know exactly what triggered the assault — like an argument or anything.

"There is no indication, from the detectives or the information from our victim, that this was gang-related. It doesnÂ’t mean that it isnÂ’t, but the victim is not associated with gangs."

McMillan said is anyone finds themselves in a situation like this, it is good to remember as many details as possible.

"If something like this were to occur, what helps us is descriptions of the suspects and things unique to the descriptions, like clothing," McMillan said.

McMillan said ThursdayÂ’s stabbing could be an isolated incident between the victim and suspects.

"But something caused the altercation and, at this point in time, we donÂ’t know what it is," McMillan said late Friday afternoon.

Porterville Fire Engineer Dan Holloway said fire officials responded to the scene of the stabbing Thursday evening and provided basic life support to Hampton as well as assisted ambulance personnel.

Also, fire officials were called back to clean and disinfect the area where Hampton was stabbed, Holloway said.

Anyone with information about the stabbing is asked to call Detective Rick Carrillo or Sgt. Jake Castellow at 782-7400.