Oregon Public Broadcasting

Five people were stabbed Sunday morning in the small Willamette Valley community of Mt. Angel.  Four victims were found in the middle of a road in the town best known for its Oktoberfest celebration.

Two victims were air-lifted to Portland and two others were sent to a Salem hospital.  Another victim showed up at the Silverton Hospital later on with stab wounds.

John Turner is  the deputy district attorney for Marion County. He  says the initial press release from the Mt. Angel Police Department was premature  in speculating the stabbings were gang-related activity.

Turner says the county is helping the Mt. Angel police.

John Turner: "The Marion County Homicide Assault Response Team was called out to assist in the investigation because of the magnitude and the small-size of the Mt. Angel Police Department."

The Mt. Angel Police Department has six officers.

Turner said the investigation is ongoing.  Two of the victims have already been released from the hospital.