Gang incident results in accidental stabbing

Hector McGrew was stabbed in what he said was a mistaken identity as part of a gang incident on Friday evening.

McGrew, 23, had been stabbed in the stomach, just bellow the ribcage, and had a large welt under his right eye.

The incident started when Douglas Police were called to the 1500 block of B Avenue in reference to a fight. It was the second such call it had to the area in 30 minutes.

Upon arrival, the officers saw a grey Oldsmobile Alero leaving the area.

The officers conducted a felony stop at the corner of 15th Street and B Avenue. The officers stopped the vehicle with guns drawn, and shouted verbal commands to the vehicle’s occupants.

McGrew, wearing a light blue shirt and blue jeans exited the vehicle through the rear door on the driver’s side and then began to run south along B Avenue.

Officers caught up to him when he fell as he was about to run up the alleyway between 15th and 16th streets.

He was told to stay on the ground, but McGrew attempted to get up and run again and began to fight with officers.

Once McGrew was handcuffed was when police discovered his injuries. McGrew’s left side of the shirt was drenched in blood as were his pants down past the pockets.

Police immediately contacted emergency services and McGrew was transported by Douglas Fire Department ambulance to Southeast Arizona Medical Center.

Police returned to the vehicle and began interviewing driver, Fernando Guillen, 29.

According to Guillen, McGrew called him at about 9:40 p.m. and told him he had been stabbed at Robert Botello’s house, 1507 B Avenue. Guillen also said that McGrew told him that the police were on the scene. When he went to see if McGrew was alright, Guillen was suddenly hit in the head with a pole. According to Guillen, he was able to fight the subjects off and take the pole away from them. McGrew and Guillen were leaving the house when police arrived the second time.

At the hospital, McGrew at first didn’t have anything to say about the incident, but later said he did not know who stabbed him or why. He said he was at Botello’s house working on a car, and the next thing he knew he was being chased by the police.

At one point, McGrew said it was all gang-related and that he was mistaken for someone else.

He did not comment on who stabbed him or who was supposed to be stabbed.

No charges have yet to be filed since McGrew refused to cooperate, according to the police report.