Teenage Neighbor Arrested in Brutal Stabbing

Police say he was hosing down stabbing victim with a garden hose when officers arrived

The teenage neighbor of two North Philadelphia residents, described by police as hoarders, has been arrested for allegedly stabbing them nearly two dozen times.

Anthony Waters, 18, has been arrested and charged with the early morning double stabbing that took place at the victims' Olney home along the 5900 block of North 4th Street on Wednesday, Philadelphia Police said.

Officers responding to the stabbing 911 call found Waters outside the victims' home hosing down the 71-year-old female victim with water from a garden hose. She had been stabbed more than 15 times from her head to her toes. Nearby, her 54-year-old male roommate lay in the doorway of their house with two stab wounds to his chest. A large amount of blood, from both victims, stained the sidewalk.

Waters broke into the victim's home through an unlocked back door to steal the keys to their car, which he had planned to sell, investigators said. But the alleged 4:30 a.m. robbery was thwarted when the teen was surprised to find his neighbors awake. He then stabbed them both, police said.

The victims, whose identities have not been released by authorities, both remain hospitalized in critical condition at Albert Einstein Medical Center.

Police had immediately taken Waters into custody for questioning after finding him at the crime scene. Though, detectives initially were only treating him as a witness.

The initial investigation was also hindered by the victims' home, which was completely filled with furniture, trash, debris and many cats. Several windows were also broken. Police said the residents were hoarders and the condition of the home made it hard to quickly identify evidence.

Waters has been charged with two counts of Attempted Murder, Aggravated Assault, Simple Assault, Robbery, Burglary and related offenses.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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