Iowa City Police are asking the public’s help in identifying a possible witness to a weekend stabbing.
According to the incident report, 47-year-old Yossarian Williams was engaged in an argument with another subject near the Benton Street Bridge just before 1:30 Saturday afternoon when he stabbed the man in the chest with a knife and threw him into the river, telling him he was going to die. The man had emergency surgery at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, where he was still in critical condition at last report.
Williams, whose driver’s license indicates he is a resident of the state of Washington, is charged with Willful Injury Causing Serious Injury. If convicted, he faces a maximum of ten years in prison.
Investigators are attempting to identify a potential witness to the stabbing. The witness is described as a white or Hispanic man with a long beard wearing all blue clothing and carrying a blue backpack.
The City issued a release Monday afternoon saying that the witness was identified, but issued a correction later in the afternoon saying that they’re still seeking the man’s identity.
Anyone with information on this individual or the stabbing is asked to contact Det. Cade Burma at 319-356-5441 or email cburma@iowa-city.org.