The McAllen Police Department is investigating the Thursday morning stabbing of an employee at the Las Palmas Community Center.
In a news release, police said they were called to the center in the 1900 block of North 25 Street at 8:07 a.m. in reference to a woman who went to the community center with a knife.
The reporting person told police the woman left the area on foot in an unknown direction.
However, police caught up with the suspect — 60-year-old Esmeralda Rodriguez — in the 2400 block of Tamarack Street, which is about a block from the crime scene, according to police.
“The suspect was found with (a) knife in her waistband and cuts to her hands,” the release stated. “The suspect became combative with arresting officers and began ‘spitting on officers.’”
The stabbing victim was transported for emergency medical care.
Police said charges are pending and said that Rodriguez is also being investigated for a Wednesday aggravated assault.
Investigators said the victim in that assault was an acquaintance of Rodriguez’s.
Rodriguez, a McAllen resident, was released from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice on June 29 over a previous assault charge.
In a statement, the city of McAllen said the employee’s wounds appear to be non-life threatening and no one else was harmed.
The Las Palmas Community Center remains safe and open for business without interruption of services to the public, according to the city.
“The City of McAllen is grateful to the Las Palmas Community Center Staff and members of the public who assisted law enforcement in the swift apprehension of the suspect and that there were no further injuries,” the release stated. “Additionally, the City of McAllen offers prayers for the speedy recovery of the Las Palmas Community Center’s employee.”
