Location: 2100 block of S. Clark Street and 400 block of 23rd Street S., Arlington VA
Time: November 9, 2026, at approximately 9:38 p.m.
An Arlington man was arrested Monday night following a series of alleged knife attacks that left two men injured and a third threatened in the area of South Clark Street and 23rd Street South.
Arlington County police responded to the 2100 block of South Clark Street at approximately 9:38 p.m. on November 9 following a report of a stabbing.
According to the preliminary investigation, an adult male was removing items from a vehicle when a suspect approached and allegedly attempted to stab him. The man managed to escape by running from the area.
Police said the suspect then traveled to the 400 block of 23rd Street South, where he approached a second adult male while displaying a knife.
A struggle followed, during which the second victim suffered a laceration that police described as non-life-threatening.
Bystanders intervened and restrained the suspect until responding officers arrived and took him into custody.
While searching the surrounding area, officers discovered a third adult male suffering from a non-life-threatening laceration.
The second and third victims were transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. Police recovered two folding knives at the scene.
David Lamont Bates, 48, of Arlington, VA, was arrested and charged with two counts of malicious wounding and one count of attempted malicious wounding.