MASCOUTAH, Ill. — Two women and one man were stabbed outside a restaurant and bar in Mascoutah, Illinois, Sunday morning.
Mascoutah police were called to Skootr's Restaurant & Bar around 12:30 a.m. in response to the stabbing.
While there are still many unanswered questions, it's left many community members, like Richard Haas, pretty shaken up.
"It's just surprising. It's not something that normally happens around here because it's usually a pretty quiet town," he said.
'Quiet' is how Haas described the city he's lived in all his life, but on Sunday morning, a tragedy from the night before had the whole town of Mascoutah talking.
"Everyone is coming in here saying, 'Did you hear, did you hear?' It's pretty rough actually," he said.
Haas works at the gas station just down the street from Skootr's and lives nearby.
After hearing sirens and rumors, Haas rode his bike down to the restaurant and bar to see what it was all about, but the scene was already cleared.
"I was worried about my friends in town because I know they were out running around," he said.
While none of Haas' friends were the ones hurt, three Mascoutah residents were.
According to a news release from the Mascoutah Police Department, the 3 victims, ages 41, 42 and 43, were stabbed after an altercation at about 12:30 a.m. Sunday outside Skootr's Restaurant & Bar.
This has left many, like business owner Ritchie Clow, with many questions.
"Really shocked and really surprised because this is a very peaceful town," she said.
Clow's coffee shop, St. Louis Coffee World Owner, is right down the street from where the crime took place.
Clow said the town's positive reputation is what brought her and her family here.
"We never ever heard of any crime or bad things about this area, that's why we decided to buy a house here," she said.
A suspect was taken into custody and a knife was recovered at the scene, the release said.
A Facebook post from Skootr's confirmed the stabbing and said the suspect was not a customer or patron of the restaurant and bar.
The three victims were transported to hospitals in the area by Mascoutah EMS. Two of them were treated and released. The third victim was admitted to a St. Louis hospital. The third victim's condition has not been released.
Mascoutah police are handling the investigation into the incident.
While the investigation is still ongoing, residents now have their guards up.
"All I can say is probably everyone should be more aware of their surroundings," Clow said.
This is a developing story. Information will be updated as it is confirmed by 5 On Your Side.
To watch 5 On Your Side broadcasts or reports 24/7, 5 On Your Side is always streaming on 5+. Download for free on Roku or Amazon Fire TV.