3 women attacked, possibly with a machete, in Rochester

Witnesses told police a suspect attacked three women, possibly with a machete, in an apartment building in Rochester early Wednesday. 

Amanda Grayson with the Rochester Police Department told Bring Me The News the incident happened at the Cascade Creek Apartments, 421 6th Ave. NW, at around 2:40 a.m. Wednesday. 

When police arrived, they found two women in the second-floor hallway who'd been injured. One had a cut on her leg, the other had a cut on her arm, Grayson said. They were both taken to a local hospital. 

A third woman had a "minor laceration" on her back, Grayson said. 

Witnesses told police there was a "small gathering" at an apartment when the 23-year-old man who lived in the apartment thought someone stole something of his. 

The three women left because they were afraid they'd be harmed, and the man began to chase them. Witnesses said he used a weapon, possibly a machete, to injure the women, Grayson said. 

The suspect fled on foot. He was later arrested at a home in northeast Rochester, Cept. Casey Moilanen said in an update around 2 p.m. Wednesday. He faces possible charges of second-degree assault. 

A second man, a 23-year-old from Columbia Heights, was believed to have "grabbed one of the victims around the neck and choked her until she fell to the ground" and then fled, Grayson said. He was found on a bike path near the apartment complex and was taken into custody. 

However, he was later released from custody, with Moilanen saying "after further investigation and additional interviews with victims and witnesses, we do not believe there is sufficient probable cause to charge [him] for crimes related to this case."

As of 9 a.m. Wednesday, the weapon hadn't yet been found, Grayson said. The investigation is still ongoing. 

Note: The details provided in this story are based on the police’s latest version of events, and may be subject to change.