Police: Woman stabbed to death in Grand Rapids

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Police say a woman was stabbed to death in downtown Grand Rapids Wednesday morning.

"Preliminary reports are it seems like it's likely a domestic situation," Grand Rapids Police Department Chief Eric Winstrom told reporters. "Just another incident, unfortunately, we've seen this domestic violence escalate to tragic circumstances like this."

Officers responded to the 300 block of Division Avenue S, near Bartlett Street in the Heartside area, just before 9:30 a.m. for a reported stabbing, according to the Grand Rapids Police Department. The chief did not immediately have details about what led up to the stabbing.

"It's tough to make sense of these domestic situations that turn deadly. I'm sure the story will come out, but I doubt it will make sense to us," Winstrom said.

Police say the victim, described only as an adult woman, died. Winstrom said police had not yet positively identified the woman or contacted her family — though he said officers assigned to the area recognized her immediately.

The suspect — described by police as an adult man — also stabbed himself repeatedly, the chief said. He was taken to the hospital, where Winstrom said he was listed in critical condition.

"Should he pull through, we'll certainly seek charges against him, but that's a big if at this time," Winstrom said.

He said the woman and man were known to frequent the Heartside Park area, which is why officers recognized them.

Division Avenue was expected to be shut down near where the stabbing happened until at least 11:30 a.m., the chief said.

GRPD is investigating. If you know anything, you're asked to contact detectives at 616.456.3380 or Silent Observer at 616.774.2345.

Winstrom said while his department does have victims' advocates, there is more work to be done on supporting victims of domestic violence to try to prevent homicides.