Troy Wolff, Wash. college professor, fatally stabbed while protecting girlfriend

(CBS/AP) SEATTLE - A 46-year-old college English professor died Saturday following a seemingly unprovoked and random stabbing attack in downtown Seattle after leaving a soccer game.

PICTURES: Wash. college professor killed protecting girlfriend

Troy Wolff was stabbed in the neck and torso as he tried to defend his 30-year-old partner, who was also attacked Friday night as thousands of people left the Sounders game at Century Link Field.

The 44-year-old suspect was arrested on the scene of the stabbing, where he was standing near the victims and holding a knife when police arrived. He dropped the knife and was taken into custody without further incident, Seattle police spokesman Jeff Kappel said.

The suspect was booked into King County Jail on investigation of murder.

"There are indications that the suspect was operating at a diminished mental capacity," Kappel said.

Wolff was the chair of the English department at Shoreline Community College. Wolff's partner, Kristin Ito, was in serious condition at Harborview Medical Center late Saturday afternoon, The Seattle Times reported Sunday.

Wolff and Ito had attended the soccer game at CenturyLink Field and were attacked a few blocks away from the field.

At about 10:32 p.m. Friday, Seattle police said SWAT and gang-unit officers responded to a 911 call about the stabbing.

Police said the preliminary investigation indicates that Wolff and Ito were walking together when a man suddenly confronted them with a small knife and began stabbing Ito repeatedly in the torso.

Wolff "attempted to intervene and the suspect turned on him and began stabbing the male victim repeatedly in the neck and torso," the police report states.

Fire Department medics transported both victims to Harborview Medical Center. Wolff died Saturday afternoon.

The Harborview nursing supervisor said Ito remained in serious condition. A college news release said she was stable.