2 suspects captured after I-476 stabbing; Villanova University lockdown lifted

LOWER MERION, Pa. -- State police are leading an investigation after a reported stabbing on the Blue Route led to a police pursuit Sunday evening that ended at a Sunoco gas station in Lower Merion.

Police sources said two suspects are in custody and one victim is hospitalized following an altercation involving two vehicles on the southbound lanes of the Blue Route after the Conshohocken exit.

The incident began around 5:30 p.m. Sources say a suspect allegedly stabbed the victim, who was transported to a hospital with serious injuries. The victim was in a black vehicle that was later seen on a tow truck's flatbed.

Sources said the two suspects fled in a U-Haul truck, prompting a police chase. They also said a Lower Merion police officer crashed during response; she was treated and released from a hospital. The pursuit ended at a Sunoco gas station on Lancaster Avenue in Lower Merion.

Villanova student Grayson Esposito who lives across the street said the incident was unexpected.

"Crazy. Kinda something you see on tv every day not something I thought I would experience today."

According to sources, the suspects threw the knife and ran on foot. During the search, Villanova University placed its campus on lockdown as a precaution. Esposito said students received alerts quickly.

"Their system is actually pretty good, and we got notifications kind of immediately."

The shelter-in-place order was lifted around 6:40 p.m. after the suspects were taken into custody. Sources said one suspect was arrested in nearby Unkefer Park.

Esposito said he was reassured by the response.

"There's always concerns with what goes on ,but as long as the right protocols are being taken for safety and things like that then no worries from me."

The Sunoco gas station later reopened after being closed for a few hours while police investigated and towed the U-Haul.

State police are continuing to investigate. Authorities have not yet released details about what happened or the relationship between those involved.