Man needs more than 50 staples, stitches after stabbing at west Wichita motel

Police are investigating a stabbing at a west Wichita motel over the weekend.

Officers were dispatched to Via Christi Hospital St. Francis at 10 a.m. Monday following the report of a stabbing, Lt. James Espinoza said. A 37-year-old man from Texas told officers that he had been stabbed multiple times at the Top Hat Motel at 9027 W. Kellogg on Sunday night.

The victim said he got into a fight with two men at the hotel at about 9:30 p.m. and was cut on his back, stomach, chest and arms.

“It’s unclear why the victim waited so long” to go to the hospital for treatment, Espinoza said.

Doctors needed more than 50 staples and stitches to close the victim’s numerous wounds.

Police went to the hotel and found the room where the fight occurred, Espinoza said. There was also evidence that the victim attempted to treat his wounds in the room.

“It did not appear to be a break-in,” Espinoza said.

Instead, preliminary evidence suggests the incident was an argument that turned violent, he said. The victim hasn’t been cooperative, offering limited details about the suspects, police said.

This story was originally published September 8, 2015 at 12:38 PM with the headline "Man needs more than 50 staples, stitches after stabbing at west Wichita motel."