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The 43-year-old man who was stabbed multiple times early Tuesday morning at McKinley High School was able to identify his assailant, according to a police affidavit.
Police said Akapito Rafael was stabbed in his back, left arm and right side of his chest.
Axery Thomas, 21, of Kukui Gardens was charged Wednesday with second-degree attempted murder in Rafael’s stabbing. Bail for Thomas was set at $50,000.
A Queen’s Medical Center emergency room doctor told police that Rafael had stab wounds on his right upper back, left upper thigh, left shoulder, and two stab wounds on his right chest.
“The two stab wounds to Rafael’s chest (were) gushing blood,” the police statement said, and the victim was having trouble breathing.
While paramedics treated Rafael’s wounds just after 2:30 a.m., police officers at the scene asked Rafael who had stabbed him.
“Rafael pointed to the male to his left, who was identified as Axery Thomas,” the police statement said.
Thomas had bloodstains on his shirt, shoes, pants and hat.
Arrested with Thomas was a 20-year-old homeless man who was later released from custody without charges pending further investigation.
The suspect had been sitting next to Rafael on the steps of the McKinley High School administration building on South King Street. A small knife was found at the scene, police said.
No motive was given for the stabbing.
In 2012, Thomas was fined $50 for having an open container of alcohol in his car. He also has an outstanding traffic ticket for driving without a license.
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