A Phoenix-based flight attendant on layover was one of two victims who were stabbed and killed in the heart of downtown Denver over the weekend.

Two others were injured in four stabbings that occurred at the 16th Street Mall between Saturday and Sunday, the Denver Police Department said.

The second victim who died was stabbed on Sunday night, according to the police. He remains unidentified.

The police have arrested a suspect, who was not identified. 

American Airlines flight attendant Celinda Levno, 71, died on Saturday, according to a family member who spoke with KPNX in Phoenix. 

She was attacked around 5:17 p.m. in the area of 16th and California streets and was transported to the hospital. She died on Sunday morning, the police said.

The authorities have not officially identified Levno as the victim. 




In separate statements, both American Airlines officials and the Association of Professional Flight Attendants called the crime “senseless.”

“Celinda’s love for her horses, friends, and family will always be remembered,” the association said in a statement. “We stand in support with Celinda’s family, friends, and our colleagues in Phoenix Inflight as they process this senseless tragedy.”

Levno began her career with America West in 1989, which later merged into American Airlines, according to the association.

“We are heartbroken and mourning the tragic loss of our colleague who was the victim of a senseless crime last night,” American Airlines officials said in a statement. “Our thoughts and support are with her family, loved ones and colleagues, and we are doing all we can to assist law enforcement in its investigation.”

The association said crews who were laying over at a downtown hotel would be temporarily relocated to a place near Denver International Airport.

“Everything she did was for everyone else,” Josephine Dale, a close friend of Levno, said in a statement to The Arizona Republic. “She will now be with us every stride, and her love for horses will be carried on through all of us.”

The police arrested a man late on Sunday in connection to the stabbings that happened on Saturday evening and Sunday night, according to Denver police.







WANTED

Denver Police Department release the picture of a possible suspect in the multiple stabbings that occurred on Denver’s 16th Street Mall over the weekend. Police arrested the suspect Sunday, according to a DPD social media post. 




Authorities are expected to release the suspect’s name today.

There appears to be no connection between the victims and the suspect, according to the police.

Three of the stabbings happened between 5 and 6 p.m. on Saturday. One of the victims was killed. Two other victims sustained injuries; the police said the injuries are not life threatening.

On Sunday afternoon, Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas said officers were able to link all three stabbings based on video and the description of the suspect. Police investigators said there did not appear to be a connection between the suspect and victims, and they have not developed a potential motive.

Authorities said the other victim who died is a man who was stabbed around 8 p.m. on Sunday in the 1600-block of Market Street, which is just off the 16th Street Mall. 

The first stabbing occurred on Saturday around 5:12 p.m. in the area of 16th and Tremont streets. The victim went to the hospital on his own. His injuries were not life-threatening, and the police said he was released from the hospital Sunday.

The third stabbing happened around 5:54 p.m. in the area of 16th and Lawrence streets, the police said. The victim’s injuries were also not life-threatening.

Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas said the first 911 call came in at 5:20 p.m., and officers were on the scene at 5:23 p.m.

Authorities continue to investigate the series of stabbings on Monday

Editor’s note: This is a developing story. The Associated Press and 9NEWS contributed to this report.

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