Mesa mass stabbing suspect arrested after 2-hour standoff

PHOENIX – The suspect in a mass stabbing incident at a Mesa domestic violence shelter was arrested after an hourslong standoff Tuesday night, authorities said.

Three people were cut by 56-year-old Ted Bush with a large knife at The Olive Press on Mesa Drive south of Broadway Road around 7:30 p.m., according to a Mesa Police Department statement.

Bush, a resident at the shelter, allegedly started by throwing items around the kitchen before grabbing the knife and cutting the first two victims in the face. Neither had a relationship with Bush, police said.

The third victim was stabbed and pushed outside of the shelter by Bush, according to police.

The stabbing victims were taken to a hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries, police said. A fourth victim was hospitalized for personal medical reasons.

Bush refused to surrender following the incidents. The Mesa SWAT unit responded and spent two hours trying to get him to come out, police said.

He eventually exited a room and was apprehended with the assistance of bean bag rounds and Rico II, a police dog.

Bush was taken to a hospital for treatment.

After his release, Bush will be charged with four counts of aggravated assault and one count of aggravated robbery.

No other information was made available.

Related

Mesa police shoot, kill man in response to call for suicidal threatsArrest warrant issued for 2020 Mesa road rage suspectMesa police arrest man in arson of Walmart that caused $6M in damagesA coin flip could decide this Arizona council race after two candidates tie at 67 votesSAFE Alert issued for missing 28-year-old man last seen in PhoenixTeen sentenced to 5 years for robbing 12-year-old at gunpoint in Gilbert