People riding and walking on the Indian Creek Trail Monday said they’re a bit leery following this weekend’s violence.
“Just this QuikTrip, the whole left side was cordoned off with police tape. There was about six to seven police cars and a van I believe as well,” Daniel Galley, a witness, said.
On Saturday just after 9 p.m., police were called to the QuikTrip at 102nd and Wornall on a reported stabbing. Police said both the victim and the suspect were homeless men staying underneath a bridge where the stabbing occurred.
“It’s kind of intimidating a bit because you don’t know what’s going to happen; we really don’t let anyone walk over by themselves,” Galley said.
Galley and his roommates who attend Avila University use the trail to work out. They told 41 Action News they’re seeing more and more homeless people on the trail.
“It started getting real bad. A few weeks ago it was about three to four, but now it’s about 8-10,” Brandon Wampler, one of Galley’s roommates, said.
People who live in the area have pointed out the rise on social media platforms like Nextdoor.
“Everyone here is shell-shocked because of the stabbing,” Gary Nelson, who lives catty-corner to the college students, said.
Nelson also works with the homeless on Independence Avenue.
“You learn that people have some type of weapon probably if they’re homeless,” Nelson said. “If they aren’t carrying it with them they will have it some place where they can get it.”
He added in some situations, petty arguments can turn dangerous.
“Alcohol can be involved, drugs can be involved. When something is said it can be taken the wrong way—the totally wrong way—something could escalate into a stabbing,” Nelson said.
Which is why some in this area want to more police on their streets.
“Stepped up patrol will help, more eyes will always help,” Nelson said.
The homeless man who was stabbed was transported to Overland Park Regional Medical Center and is expected to survive his injuries.
Warren Holcomb was charged with aggravated assault and armed criminal action in the stabbing.
According to court documents, the victim said he was walking the Indian Creek Trail and began to exit it behind Westlake Ace Hardware when he was pushed from behind and stabbed in the neck and through his hand. After he was released from the hospital, he told police Holcomb said he stabbed him and apologized for it.
Holcomb was taken into custody. He denied any involvement in the incident and said he was hanging out with the victim prior to the stabbing, according to court documents.
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Andres Gutierrez can be reached at andres.gutierrez@kshb.com
