Park bench dispute leads to stabbing in West Valley

WEST VALLEY CITY — Police say an argument over who could sit on a public park bench left one man in the hospital with stab wounds Monday.

Family members of the victim told police he got into an argument with a homeless man at the Parkway Park, 2320 S. 1070 West, about who could sit on a certain bench. Police say the homeless man, a 56-year-old man who has a history with police, considered that bench part of his territory at the park and the two started fighting.

The homeless man allegedly pulled out a knife and stabbed the 52-year-old victim a couple times but police say the wounds weren't serious.

The victim was able to ride his bike home where he called for medical attention. An ambulance transported him to Intermountain Medical Center in Murray.

Police found the homeless man riding his bike about a block away from the park and took him into custody.

— Lana Groves