Greenfield Police identify man killed in 'random' stabbing, 19-year-old suspect in custody

Updated: 3:19 p.m. on August 28, 2019

GREENFIELD, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Police say there appears to be no connection between the victim and suspect in a deadly stabbing in Greenfield.

The victim has been identified as 49-year-old Ben Christianson of Madison.

Greenfield Police detained a 19-year-old Greenfield man for questioning and have determined him to be the lone suspect.

The incident happened around noon Tuesday in the area of S. 60th Street and W. Armour Avenue. Following the stabbing, the suspect ran away and Christianson was taken to a nearby hospital where he later died.

"This appears to be random, this isn't sparked by any confrontation," Greenfield Police Chief Jay Johnson said Tuesday. "This is just a random incident."

Investigators are asking anyone with may have witnessed the incident or captured video on a home surveillance system to contact the Greenfield Police Department.

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Updated: 4:16 p.m. on August 27, 2019

GREENFIELD, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Greenfield Police is investigating a deadly stabbing after police say a man was assaulted near 60th and Armour around noon Tuesday. At this point, the crime appears to be completely random.

"This appears to be random, this isn't sparked by any confrontation," Greenfield Police Chief Jay Johnson said. "This is just a random incident."

In a press release, the department said the following:

"While we do not believe there is any additional threat to the community, we still encourage the public to be vigilant and contact our department with any information that may be relevant to this investigation. We thank you for your patience while we continue to investigate this senseless act."

The incident began when police were called out after a man was assaulted with "an edged weapon." Witnesses saw a suspect run off and neighbors were alerted on their phones to stay inside.

Police say the victim was out working when the assault happened and was taken to the hospital where he died from his injuries.

Investigators took a person of interest into custody in the area of 61st and Coldspring. Authorities are interviewing the person of interest and are asking people to avoid the area as they continue their investigation.

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Updated: 3:12 p.m. on August 27, 2019

GREENFIELD, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The Greenfield police chief says a person of interest is in custody and is being questioned after a man was attacked and later died from his injuries Tuesday afternoon.

Investigators say around police were called to the area of S. 60th Street and W. Armour Avenue for someone being assaulted with "an edged weapon" around noon. The suspect ran away from the scene.

The victim was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries where he later died.

Greenfield Police say officers are still actively searching for the suspect and residents are being asked to stay inside their homes.

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Updated: 1:36 p.m. on August 27, 2019

GREENFIELD, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The Medical Examiner's Office has confirmed that they are responding to a "suspicious death" at 60th and Armour Avenue.

MCMEO responding to the suspicious death of an adult male at 60th and Armour. @greenfieldwipd investigating. Autopsy tomorrow - no further information to be released at this time. — Medical Examiner (@mkemedexamine) August 27, 2019

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Posted: 12:43 p.m. on August 27, 2019

GREENFIELD, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The Greenfield Police Department is looking for a suspect who is considered armed and dangerous.

Police describe the suspect as a lighter-skinned black male wearing all black and a hat, with a thin build, standing 5'9" to 6' tall, in his twenties to thirties.

The department says he was last seen running northbound from S. 60th Street and W. Armour Avenue.

Authorities ask the public to stay indoors and advise not to approach this man. Call 911 if you see someone matching this description.

No further information has been provided at this time. CBS 58 will provide updates as they become available.