An Ironton woman will face felonious assault charges this week in connection with two weekend stabbings in the parking lot of an Ironton auto parts store.

Tuesday, June 20, 2000

An Ironton woman will face felonious assault charges this week in connection with two weekend stabbings in the parking lot of an Ironton auto parts store.

Crystal Lewis, 19, of Ironton is currently in the Lawrence County Jail awaiting arraignment in Ironton Municipal Court on two charges of felonious assault in connection with the attacks.

Southeast Ohio Emergency Medical Service paramedics responded to a call early Saturday morning that two women had been stabbed on the AutoZone parking lot at 208 Washington St.

Ironton Police Department received the call at 2:40 a.m. to the parking lot, where they found two women, both suffering from stab wounds.

The first victim suffered from a wound to the stomach, while the second female was stabbed in the upper chest area, according to police reports.

Officers later discovered that the stabbings occurred shortly after the two women left the Play-By-Play Sportsbar, which is located across the street.

"According to witnesses, Crystal Lewis of Ironton, had pulled a knife and stabbed the first victim in the stomach," Ironton police Detective Captain Chris Bowman. "The other victim attempted to stop the attack and was stabbed once in the chest."

Both victims were transported to River Valley Health System by SEOEMS, where they both were listed in serious condition. The victim with the chest wound was later transported to St. Mary’s Hospital in Huntington W.Va., where she was upgraded to stable condition. The other victim suffering from the stomach wound was treated and released at RVHS late Sunday afternoon.

"Lewis was arrested at the scene and charged with two counts of felonious assault," Bowman said. "She was then taken to the Lawrence County Jail where she was awaiting arraignment in the Ironton Municipal Court."

Officers from the Coal Grove Police Department and investigators from the Lawrence County Prosecutor’s Office assisted in the case, which remains under investigation.