Mariners Fan Walking With Family Killed In Knifing Near Dome

A 29-year-old man was in custody Monday in the fatal stabbing of a retired firefighter after a Seattle Mariners baseball game.

The attack on a street a few blocks away from the Kingdome appeared to be unprovoked, police spokeswoman Carmen Best said.

Stanley Stevenson, 64, of Kent, was stabbed just before 5 p.m. Sunday as he and some family members, including his wife, Rose, were returning to their car in the International District after a Mariners-Yankees game.

“We talked to the family, and there’s absolutely no reason for that man to have been stabbed,” police homicide Sgt. Don Cameron said.

Dan Van Ho was arrested about a block away shortly after the attack. Police recovered a long-blade kitchen knife, Cameron said.

Ho was being held in the King County Jail for investigation of homicide. Bail was set at $1 million. Charges were expected to be filed by Wednesday.

In more than 30 years with the Seattle Fire Department, Stevenson rose to the rank of captain before he retired several years ago.

“It’s just a heartbreaker,” said former Fire Chief Claude Harris, who joined the force with Stevenson in January 1959. “To think he had gone through all the dangers of firefighting. And he is just enjoying his family, having a family outing, and this senseless act of violence shatters a family.”

Harris said various people told him the suspect brushed against Stevenson as Stevenson crossed the street to his car. “There were no words exchanged or anything” prior to the attack, Harris said.