The injuries were non-life threatening and the victim was taken to the Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami. The alleged offender was arrested at the scene. The scene caused confusion among patrons at the event, who thought they watching a piece of performance art. Some reportedly believed the police tape that cordoned the area off after the attack was part of the exhibition.

Both women were patrons at the exhibition but not exhibitors. The attack occurred near the installation of Miami artist Naomi Fisher. She said she heard a scuffle and later saw a woman being wheeled away by paramedics. "A guy walked up to me and said 'I thought I saw a performance, and I thought it was fake blood, but it was real blood," Ms Fisher told the Miami Herald.

One artist reportedly took a photo of the incident showing a woman with blood stains on her shirt. Others told reporters they saw a woman with what appeared to be a pen in her neck. Sara Fitzmaurice, a spokeswoman for the art show, said in a statement "the attack was an isolated incident that was immediately secured". "The suspect was apprehended by police who were at the scene within seconds of the incident," she said. "Our thoughts are with the victim."

Art Basel Miami Beach is an extension of an annual contemporary art fair in Basel, Switzerland.