Suspect stabs man more than 30 times in west Phoenix, police say

PHOENIX (FOX 10) - Police say a man has been arrested after he stabbed another man more than 30 times in west Phoenix.

According to court documents, 30-year-old Michael Smith left a city bus near 43rd Avenue and Buckeye Road on March 17 and began stabbing a man in his back several times with a folding knife.

As the stabbing continued, the victim got back on the bus and fell down next to the bus driver.

Smith then mounted the victim and continued stabbing him. The victim managed to get off the bus but was grabbed again by Smith and fell onto the street, nearly getting hit by a car.

The victim got back up and fell onto the street a second time, with Smith still stabbing him and leaving puddles of blood behind.

The brutal attack continued until a Phoenix firetruck arrived at the scene and began blaring its horn and flashing its lights in an effort to stop the attack.

Firefighters say Smith was on top of the victim and was cutting his neck in a "sawing motion."

Phoenix police then arrived at the scene and arrested Smith before he could get back on the bus. Police say the knife was bent backward because it had sustained such force.

Smith has been booked into jail and faces a second-degree attempted murder charge.

The victim remains hospitalized in serious condition.