Father Shielded Toddler Son As Man Went on Stabbing Spree

Oct. 1, 2013— -- A father tried to protect his toddler son as an attacker wielding scissors slashed them and three others this morning in New York City's Riverside Park, witnesses and authorities said.

"He was shielding his son, you know, like any parent would do," a witness told WABC.

The father, identified by WABC as 35-year-old James Fayette, and his 2-year-old son, Luke, were among the five people who were injured during the early morning attack in along a popular jogging route, police said.

Julius Graham was arrested this morning after the attacks, which began around 8 a.m., police said.

The stabbing spree began at 64th Street, where Graham allegedly stabbed a jogger, according to the NYPD. He then stabbed a dog walker in the stomach at 63rd Street, police said.

At 62nd Street, Graham allegedly slashed someone's neck.

Graham then encountered Fayette and his son at 60th Street, police said. Fayette was slashed in the chest while placing himself between the attacker and his son, who suffered a wound to his arm, police said.

The stabbing spree came to an end when Graham was tackled by a Good Samaritan who held him down until police arrived. He is now undergoing a psychiatric evaluation, police said.

All five individuals, including the 2-year-old, suffered injuries that are not life threatening.