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Man stabs 2 women, injures third at Springdale high-rise

SPRINGDALE, Pa. — Two women were stabbed and another was injured by a man at a Springdale high-rise Friday night.

Charles Azim is accused of stabbing Shirley Barone and Penelope Spencer on the sixth floor of the Springdale Manor high-rise on Pittsburgh Street.

Residents of the building told Channel 11 that Barone had been caring for Azim following a recent stroke and that their relationship was violent.

Barone told police that she was in her apartment with Azim preparing to make dinner when Azim told her he didn't want to eat.

According to the criminal complaint, Barone responded by telling Azim "that maybe she just won't cook for him anymore."

Barone left her apartment and went to Spencer's apartment. A short time later, Azim showed up at Spencer's apartment with a knife and stabbed Barone several times, the complaint stated. Spencer then went to a bathroom inside her apartment and pulled an alarm before trying to leave. That's when Azim began stabbing her.

Linda Simmers, a sixth floor monitor, told investigators that she left her apartment to see what was happening after she heard the alarm go off. She noticed a light above Spencer's door was on and went inside the apartment, where she found Azim standing over Barone with a knife.

When Simmers demanded that Azim stop, Azim approached her and Spencer as they moved into the hallway, police said. Azim punched Simmers in the back of the head before stabbing Spencer multiple times.

Spencer was able to escape to another apartment, where she waited for Emergency Medical Services to arrive.

Barone and Spencer were both transported to Allegheny General Hospital. Simmers was taken to UPMC St. Margaret Hospital. Their conditions have not been released.

Azim was found hiding in his apartment and was arrested. He is charged with two counts of criminal attempted homicide, and three counts each of aggravated assault and recklessly endangering another person.

People who live at Springdale Manor told Channel 11's Jennifer Tomazic that they are concerned about the screening process for prospective residents.