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  1. #1
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    Default Stabbing on AT in SW Virginia INFO

    I recently heard of a 3-victim stabbing near the Smyth/Bland/Wythe county lines in SW Virginia on 5/11/2019 (north of Mount Rogers, near I-81).

    This post is meant to share information with other hikers to maintain their safety and calm hiking anxieties.

    If you have any updates, please contact law enforcement, but also share what information you can.

    ** We are all praying for the victims and hope they find the perpetrator.***

    For the sake of spreading valuable information, please avoid posting needless crap, and just stick with actual, factual updates. Thank you.

  2. #2

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    I would think articles regarding something of this magnitude would be easily found, but I can't seem to find anything. Any links to news outlets on this?

  3. #3
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    Not quite a news outlet, but here's a good summary
    https://thetrek.co/section-appalachi...orted-assault/

  4. #4
    Registered User Spotter's Avatar
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    And here begins the rumor mill.

  5. #5
    Registered User 4eyedbuzzard's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Spotter View Post
    And here begins the rumor mill.
    Not rumor, just not being widely reported yet.

    https://wcyb.com/news/local/section-...owing-incident

    https://thetrek.co/section-appalachi...orted-assault/

    https://www.reddit.com/r/Appalachian...m_source=share


    http://www.appalachiantrail.org/home.../trail-updates

    From various sources, Sovereign, real name James Jordan, who was previously arrested in NC a few weeks ago on the AT, has now stabbed people and while unconfirmed, there may be a fatality. He is in custody - again. The AT is officially per ATC closed in the area and is being called a crime scene and local county Sheriff offices and VA State Police are investigating.
    Last edited by 4eyedbuzzard; 05-11-2019 at 11:29.

  6. #6
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    I'm talking about speculating he has stabbed numerous people. Rumors spread faster than a wildfire and this is how it happens.

  7. #7
    Registered User 4eyedbuzzard's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Spotter View Post
    I'm talking about speculating he has stabbed numerous people. Rumors spread faster than a wildfire and this is how it happens.
    Crusher, who is on the AT in the area, has posted on reddit that he was informed by a Deputy Sheriff that there were multiple stabbing victims and that they were searching for any more possible victims. There's no good reason a thru-hiker on the AT where the incident took place would fabricate this piece of info, and it jives with other unofficial reports from unrelated sources. The fact that law enforcement and "official" news sources aren't releasing info yet isn't surprising. But they wouldn't officially close the AT for a minor incident. Hopefully, no one was killed or gravely injured, but I have a bad feeling this isn't going to end well.


    From https://www.wjhl.com/local/sheriff-2...ies/1996343950

    "SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA (WJHL) - UPDATE - Wythe County Sheriff's Keith Dunagan confirms that two people were assaulted overnight on the Appalachian Trail in Virginia. Dunagan says one male was assaulted in Wythe County and a female was assaulted in Smyth County.
    The sheriff says crews were able to locate a victim and the person reportedly responsible for the attack from a phone ping.

    The identity of the people attacked, and the suspect has not been released at this time.
    The U.S. Forest Service is leading the investigation. A portion of the trail remains closed at this time..."
    Last edited by 4eyedbuzzard; 05-11-2019 at 12:23.

  8. #8
    Registered User ldsailor's Avatar
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    The area where the stabbing happened is the area where Ramdino, who does the thru hiker report, said that Sovereign showed up earlier this week. I wonder if Sovereign is involved in this.
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  9. #9
    Registered User Spotter's Avatar
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    I'm not saying any of this isn't true. Just that posting hear say before confirmed information is released isn't a good thing. Every bit of this may be true. It may not. But the guy has been caught and currently can't do anymore damage so instilling unnecessary fear into others is not good. Wait until official reports have been released.
    I hope that everyone is ok and that the only person confirmed to have been attacked so far is not severely hurt.

  10. #10
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    I just read another thread - Armed and Dangerous AT Hiker - and apparently it was Sovereign who did the stabbing or at least he is in jail again while the investigation goes on.
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  11. #11

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    Official reports are that the dude responsible has been caught and there are multiple witnesses to his odd, sometimes violent behavior. I would say the information gathered is "true". There's a pic of the guy apprehended here:

    https://www.wjhl.com/local/new-detai...ays/1947581693

  12. #12
    Registered User 4eyedbuzzard's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by martinb View Post
    Official reports are that the dude responsible has been caught and there are multiple witnesses to his odd, sometimes violent behavior. I would say the information gathered is "true". There's a pic of the guy apprehended here:

    https://www.wjhl.com/local/new-detai...ays/1947581693
    That is the old report of his arrest weeks ago in Unicoi County, TN. He was released on probation after pleading to minor charges. This is a new attack by the same guy. https://www.wjhl.com/local/sheriff-2...ies/1996343950

  13. #13
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    Pulled this post.
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  14. #14

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    Quote Originally Posted by 4eyedbuzzard View Post
    That is the old report of his arrest weeks ago in Unicoi County, TN. He was released on probation after pleading to minor charges. This is a new attack by the same guy.
    Understood. I was posting primarily for the pic. Maybe more hikers could chime in about encounters with him.
    Last edited by martinb; 05-11-2019 at 12:59.

  15. #15
    Registered User ldsailor's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by 4eyedbuzzard View Post
    That is the old report of his arrest weeks ago in Unicoi County, TN. He was released on probation after pleading to minor charges. This is a new attack by the same guy. https://www.wjhl.com/local/sheriff-2...ies/1996343950
    Yeah, sorry. I didn't notice the date. I deleted the text in my previous post.
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  16. #16

  17. #17
    Registered User 4eyedbuzzard's Avatar
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    Trail has been re-opened. Female victim was "cut up pretty badly" and taken to hospital per police. No reports of any kind on the condition of the male victim. Sovereign in custody. FBI heading investigation. https://wcyb.com/news/local/section-...owing-incident

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    Sheriff statements have said

    They found both victims
    Only 1 female was taken to hospital, cut up badly
    Last edited by MuddyWaters; 05-11-2019 at 20:59.

  19. #19

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    https://youtu.be/1v0jXhgglTI

    More details in news update 6 pm

    Male and female were hiking together
    Other hikers were threatened before the occurrence
    Someone lent suspect a flashlight when asked that morning
    Female victim walked several mi to get help
    An earlier report said tactical team encountered suspects dog, and dog led them to male victim/suspect off trail. I cant find that again. But response team had gps coordinates from male victims phone.
    Last edited by MuddyWaters; 05-11-2019 at 21:45.

  20. #20
    Registered User 4eyedbuzzard's Avatar
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    I am wondering/concerned as to why there is absolutely no mention of the male victim's condition. They have said she was taken to and treated at the hospital. She was able to walk back for help but he either didn't or couldn't and sent "SOS" on cell phone, which is how they found him (GPS) and ultimately the suspect. LE is being very tight lipped about the second victim's condition. Trail closed off earlier. FBI involved. If his injuries, like hers, were treated or not life threatening, why the silence?

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