Afghan refugee allegedly stabs caseworker in Orion Township, sheriff's office says
ORION TOWNSHIP, Mich. (CBS DETROIT) - A caseworker has been hospitalized after authorities say he was stabbed on Wednesday in Orion Township.
According to the Oakland County Sheriff's Office, deputies received a 911 call about a man stabbed multiple times. The sheriff's office said the suspect drove off but was later taken into custody.
The sheriff's office said the suspect was identified as a refugee from Afghanistan and the caseworker was employed by a company that assists refugees.
Authorities said the victim, who is employed by Samaritas, was taken into surgery. They do not believe anyone else was involved or in danger.
The sheriff's office has not released any additional information at this time. Neighbors who spoke with CBS News Detroit say the victim is also from Afghanistan and is living with a host family in Orion Township.
The victim's employer, Samaritas, issued the following statement Thursday:
"We are deeply saddened by yesterday's incident involving one of our dedicated caseworkers. Our thoughts are with him and his family during this difficult time, and we are focused on supporting his recovery. The safety and well-being of our staff, clients, and community remain our top priority.
"We are working closely with law enforcement as they investigate this matter, and we are committed to fully cooperating with their efforts.
"It is important to emphasize that this situation is an isolated incident. As we have seen across decades of working with this population, refugees bring resilience, strength and valuable contributions to our communities, and our organization remains steadfast in its mission to support their successful resettlement. We will continue to work tirelessly to provide the resources and assistance needed to help refugees rebuild their lives and thrive in their new homes."
An investigation is ongoing.