French train attack hero Spencer Stone was stabbed 'four times in the chest' early Thursday while reportedly trying to protect a friend in Sacramento





The 25-year-old U.S. airman 1st class was one of the three Americans who managed to take down a gunman as he opened fire on a Paris train this past August (l to r: U.S. Army Specialist Alek Skarlatos, Airman 1st Class Spencer Stone, and Anthony Sadler)





The stabbing happened at 12:45am at the intersection of 21st and K (above) in the city


CBS News reports he suffered a wound to the heart and the lung and was with a female companion when the stabbing occurred.
He was taken to the UC Davis Medical Center where he is being treated for injury.

The stabbing happened at 12:45am at the intersection of 21st and K in the city and the crime was so violent that two blocks of the street were shut down.

Initially police did not believe that Stone would be able to survive his injuries.
'It is believed that the victim was out with a group of friends when a physical altercation led to the victim being stabbed multiple times in his upper body,' police said in a statement.

'Detectives were called to the scene to assist with the investigation and the victim is currently being treated for what appears to be non-life threatening injuries.'

An Air Force spokesman said; 'He is alive and in stable condition at this time. We do not have any information as to the events preceding the incident.'

A man and woman were questioned by police after the attack, but it is not known if they were taken into custody.

Police also said the 'assault occurred near a bar, alcohol is believed to be a factor'


Stone was stabbed with a box cutter when he along with childhood friends Alek Skarlatos and Anthony Sadler took down Morocco-born Ayooub El-Khazaani after he opened fire in August on a train bound for Paris.
He had to undergo surgery to reattach part of his hand after the incident.

Only a few weeks ago, President Barack Obama met Stone and praised him alongside Skarlatos and Sadler for their teamwork, courage and quick-thinking actions that averted 'a real calamity.'
Obama said Stone was 'making real progress' and intends to pursue work in medicine.

Stone also went to the Pentagon and was awarded the prestigious Airman's Medal and a Purple Heart.

They previously had been awarded France's highest honor - the Legion d'Honneur - by President Francois Hollande.

Skarlatos tweeted his support to the Stone family on Thursday, writing; 'Everybody send prayers out to the Stone family today.'

The three friends all grew up near Sacramento, and the city held a parade for them on September 11 to honor their courageous act.

Stone is assigned to the Travis Air Force Base which is just outside Sacramento, and grew up in nearby Carmichael.