A U.S. airman hailed as a hero for helping to thwart an attack on a French train was released from a California hospital Thursday, a week after being stabbed during a brawl in Sacramento, officials said.
Spencer Stone was released from UC Davis Medical Center. Stone was stabbed three times in his torso by an assailant who appears to have attacked him from behind on Oct. 8.
"Thanks very much to the first responders and the team here at UC Davis Medical Center for taking such good care of me," Stone said in a statement released by the hospital.
"Thanks, also, to my amazing family and friends for their love and support. And, thanks to everyone who has sent encouragement during this challenging time," Stone said. "I'm focused now on healing and recovering and look forward to the next part of my journey."
Stone was one of three Americans who helped subdue a gunman who opened fire on a Paris-bound train in August. Stone, along with his childhood friends Alek Skarlatos and Anthony Sadler, received France's Legion d'Honneur for their actions.
Stone’s mother, Joyce Eskel, thanked medical staff in a statement released Thursday.
"We've been overwhelmed by the support from our family and friends, the Sacramento area, the Air Force, and people around the world,” Eskel said. “Thank you all."
Police are still looking for Asian males as persons of interest in the stabbing, which occurred during a fight outside a nightclub at around 12:45 a.m. Oct. 8. On Wednesday police distributed two more photos of a suspect vehicle.
UC Davis Medical Center Chief Executive Officer Ann Madden Rice said in a statement, "I am thrilled that Airman Stone is doing well."
"All of us at UC Davis wish him well in his continued recuperation," Rice said.
