A Pittsburgh children’s doctor and assistant professor was stabbed to death while sleeping in bed next to his wife early Thursday, police said.
His wife was also stabbed multiple times and sustained critical injuries, according to the Allegheny County Police Department.
Pittsburgh children’s doctor killed while sleeping
What we know:
Police said they responded about 12:30 a.m. Thursday to reports of two people stabbed at a home in Edgewood.
When they arrived, they found a man and woman stabbed multiple times. The man, 46-year-old Dr. Idris Evans, and his wife were taken to area hospitals, where Evans later died. His wife was in critical condition as of Thursday.
READ MORE: Man found dead in Idaho church could be tied to 1980s Tylenol murders, police say
Evans was a pediatric critical care doctor at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh and an assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh, according to the school’s website.
What they're saying:
"The UPMC and University of Pittsburgh community is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Dr. Idris Evans," a UPMC spokesperson told Fox News Digital in a statement.
Dr. Idris Evans and his wife were stabbed multiple times by an intruder while sleeping in their bed early Thursday in a Pittsburgh suburb. Evans died later at a local hospital. His wife remains critical. (Getty Images)
"Dr. Evans was a dedicated caregiver and valued member of our hospital and university communities. Our thoughts are with his family, loved ones, and colleagues during this difficult time. We ask that their privacy be respected."
Victim called suspect by name
According to court documents obtained by KDKA, Evans' wife told investigators that they were attacked with a kitchen knife while sleeping in bed. The suspect, later identified as 32-year-old Elijah Hemingway, was wearing only underwear and spoke of "being God," she recalled to police.
During the attack, she yelled for their two children to run to a neighbor’s house. Her husband also called the suspect by name, "Elijah," but she said she didn’t know their attacker.
READ MORE: 2nd man arrested in death of Mississippi woman found hanging from tree
Detectives later found a Hemingway behind a nearby home with lacerations on his hand. He was taken to an area hospital for treatment and will be charged with criminal homicide, aggravated assault, burglary and criminal trespass.
"It was a very violent scene," Allegheny County Assistant Superintendent Victor Joseph told KDKA. "The bedroom furniture was broken, mirrors broken. It was a very graphic scene."
What we don't know:
Police haven’t released a motive for the fatal attack.
The Source: This report includes information from the Allegheny County Police Department, Fox News Digital, the University of Pittsburgh and KDKA.