Police: man stabs wife inside Wegmans

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - A man is in custody Saturday, accused of stabbing his wife at the Wegmans on Amherst Street in Buffalo.

It was no mundane trip to the grocery store. Around 12:40 p.m. Saturday afternoon, Buffalo Police rushed to Wegmans. They were told a woman had just been stabbed, inside the entranceway, in front of the bottle return machines.

Police say the 32-year-old man stabbed his 26-year-old wife in a domestic incident and say no customers were targeted. Wegmans consumer affairs manager Theresa Jackson stated, "We did have an incident, that we believe was a domestic incident between a couple, where a person was injured in the store."

The incident apparently began as a dispute between the man and woman. She was taken to ECMC, were she was treated and later released. He is in police custody, thanks to the swift reaction of Wegmans security and other customers.

"We do have asset-protection security on site at that store. So I know that right away, the person was apprehended until the police did arrive," said Jackson.

No other customers or employees were hurt. The store never closed. But part of the vestibule was taped off, first while crime scene investigators collected evidence and later as a HAZMAT crew cleaned up.

Much of that evidence comes from the store's extensive video surveillance system.

Jackson explained, "There were people shopping, and as you know, we do have security cameras within our store, too. So we do believe the incident was well-witnessed and well-documented. And we're working with the police on that."

Wegmans' consumer affairs manager stresses, violence is virtually unheard of in any of the chain's stores.

"It's not typical. It is an isolated incident. We definitely have safe stores. It's a safe place for families and customers to shop," assured Jackson.

The names of the husband and the wife have not been released. He is charged with assault, criminal possession of a weapon, endangering the welfare of a child, harassment and other charges.