Doctor Killed, Wife Critically Injured in Pennsylvania Home Attack

By Andrew Powell (/journals/andrew-powell)

Dr. Idris Evans, a pediatric critical care physician at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, was killed early Thursday after police say he and his wife were attacked inside their Edgewood, Pennsylvania, home while they slept. His wife was also stabbed and remained in critical condition, authorities said. According to Fox News, Allegheny County 9-1-1 received a report of a stabbing at a home on Linden Avenue around 12:30 a.m. Responding officers found Evans and his wife suffering from multiple stab wounds, according to police. Evans, 46, was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His wife was also taken to a hospital for treatment, while the couple’s two children, ages 8 and 12, escaped the home unharmed, police said. Police identified 32-year-old Elijah Hemingway of Pittsburgh as the suspect. Detectives allege that Hemingway entered the home and attacked the couple while they were sleeping. According to court documents reported by KDKA, Evans’ wife told investigators that she woke up to a man attacking the couple with a kitchen knife. She said the man was wearing only underwear and made statements about “being God.” During the attack, Evans’ wife reportedly yelled for the children to leave the house and go to a neighbor’s home. She also told investigators that Evans referred to the attacker as “Elijah,” although authorities have not established whether the two men knew each other. Hemingway was later found behind a nearby home by a Monroeville Police Department K-9 unit, according to authorities. He had cuts on his hand and was taken to a hospital for treatment before facing charges. Hemingway is charged with criminal homicide, aggravated assault, burglary and criminal trespass. Police have not announced a motive, and the investigation into whether there was any prior relationship between Hemingway and Evans remains ongoing. Evans served as a medical director of the Pediatric Critical Care Transport Team at UPMC Children’s Hospital and was an assistant professor of critical care medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. UPMC said the hospital and university communities were “deeply saddened” by Evans’ death, describing him as a dedicated caregiver and valued member of both institutions. The organization also asked that his family, loved ones and colleagues be given privacy as they deal with the loss. Watch the video below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHpdRXSvJUY