Pittsburgh Bureau of Police officers are investigating a double stabbing Downtown.

A Zone 2 officer working out of the Downtown substation was on regular patrol when he stopped to conduct a welfare check on a woman who appeared to be sleeping or passed out at a bus stop on the 300 block of 6th Avenue around 11:40 a.m.

As the officer spoke to the woman, a man approached and assaulted her with a weapon. The male then assaulted another woman who was walking past the bus stop.

The officer confronted the male, disarmed him and placed him into custody.

The officer then rendered aid to the victims, who appeared to have been slashed with a knife. Medics arrived and transported the victims to local hospitals. The woman on the bus stop died as a result of her wounds. The second woman was listed in stable condition.

The male suspect is in police custody. Charges are likely.

At this time there is no evidence to suggest that this attack was racially or religiously motivated. The woman at the bus stop was not wearing religious garb, but the second victim may have been wearing a hijab. Police are investigating and will explore all possible motives.

The PIO Office will update this post when an arrest is made.