24-minute stabbing spree leaves 1 dead, 2 hurt in Minneapolis. Police desperately search for suspect.

Minnesota police are desperately trying to track down a man accused of going on a random stabbing spree that in less than 30 minutes left two people seriously wounded and one dead.

“You have people who were victims of crimes through no fault of their own — none,” Minneapolis Police Department spokesman John Elder said, according to KMSP-TV. “They were in the wrong place. They didn't do anything to aggravate the individual.” 

On March 17, the unprovoked attacks began around 9:20 a.m. when the suspect stabbed 78-year-old Maria Elena Mantini in the chest at a city bus shelter. The victim was pronounced dead at an area hospital.

The stabber then struck again less than 10 minutes later. KARE reported a 76-year-old man was waiting for his wife outside a medical facility when the suspect approached him and the two had a “very cordial conversation,” according to Elder.

Unprovoked, the suspect pulled out a knife and stabbed the elderly man before fleeing. The second victim was rushed to the hospital in critical condition.

In the last incident, the suspect went up to a 28-year-old man around 9:45 a.m. and knifed him, leaving him in serious condition.

Investigators from the Minneapolis Police Department and the Metro Transit Police Department linked the three attacks after scouring surveillance video. 

“We are asking for the public's help in moving forward in getting this person identified and off of the streets,” Elder said. “This is of paramount concern to us.”

Authorities describe the suspect as a Black male between 5’7” and 5’9” who had facial hair at the time of the stabbings. His age is unknown. The man initially wore a hoodie during the attacks and when he took it off police said he had on a “very distinctive” t-shirt.

Minneapolis police ask anyone who may have information about the suspect or stabbings to contact Crime Stoppers of Minnesota at 1-800-222-8477 or via their website, crimestoppersmn.org.