EDGEWOOD, Pa. — A pediatric critical care physician was fatally stabbed in his home early Thursday morning in Edgewood, a Pittsburgh suburb, in an incident that also left his wife critically injured. Authorities apprehended the suspect shortly after the attack.

The victim, Dr. Idris Evans, 46, worked at UPMC Children’s Hospital, where he directed the pediatric critical care transport team and had published research on pediatric sepsis and critical care outcomes. His wife, Gina Evans, and their two children, aged 8 and 12, were at home at the time of the assault. The children escaped the house after being alerted by their mother’s screams.

Police arrested 32-year-old Elilah Hemingway in a neighboring backyard near the scene. Hemingway was charged with homicide and other offenses. Investigators are still attempting to determine whether any prior relationship existed between Dr. Evans and Hemingway.

According to a criminal complaint, Gina Evans told police that her husband referred to the attacker as “Elijah,” but she did not recognize him. She described the assault as occurring in their third-floor bedroom, where she said the intruder attacked the couple with a large kitchen knife. She reportedly characterized the suspect as “psychotic” and said he made references to God and himself being God during the attack.

Allegheny County Police assistant superintendent Victor Joseph described the scene inside the home as “very graphic,” noting broken furniture and mirrors. Joseph said it remained unclear if the attacker had identified himself during the assault or if Dr. Evans and Hemingway were previously acquainted.

Hemingway has a history of legal issues, including a recent burglary charge for allegedly entering a former girlfriend’s residence and removing electronics. He was scheduled for a preliminary hearing in that case this week. Police records also list citations against Hemingway for disorderly conduct and traffic violations.

In custody, Hemingway told investigators that Dr. Evans had invited him into the home and that he then stabbed the doctor. However, police expressed skepticism of Hemingway’s statement, especially after he claimed that Dr. Evans had stabbed him in return, despite only minor cuts observed on Hemingway’s hands.

Neighborhood residents described the area as close-knit, especially among families with young children. Dr. Evans and his family had lived in the community for many years and were well regarded. Neighbors recalled his kindness and willingness to assist others, with one describing how he helped shovel her walkway during a heavy snowfall.

The violent incident has reawakened painful memories of the 2018 Tree of Life synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh, during which a local family physician was also killed in Edgewood while responding to the attack. On Friday, residents expressed shock at the sudden violence in their usually peaceful community.

“We’re all aware that there’s violence out there,” said Sandra Trappen, a nearby resident and criminology professor, who added that she was awake during the attack but heard no disturbance. “But we’re also living in these places where we feel like violence won’t touch us because it’s such a happy little place.”