DeKALB | DeKalb police officers photographed the blood on the snow-trampled sidewalk Wednesday as hail fell from a lightning-ridden sky.

At 3:20 p.m. on Wednesday, a man was stabbed 13 times in front of The Blessing Well, a food pantry and clothes closet at 1053 S. 4th St.

“The suspect was on the sidewalk when the victim got out of the car,” said DeKalb police Lt. Jim Kayes. “There was a confrontation and the suspect stabbed the victim.”

Kayes said the victim, a male Hispanic in his twenties, is expected to survive.

“He’s talking and stable,” Kayes said. “Hopefully, he’ll be able to identify the suspect.”

The suspect, also a Hispanic male, was possibly wearing a plaid jacket and dark pants, and fled on foot.

“We’re still working on identifying the suspect,” said DeKalb police chief Bill Feithen.

It remains uncertain to the police why the incident may have occurred.

“It’s too early to speculate gang involvement,” Kayes said.

One eyewitness was taken to the DeKalb Police Department for questioning. Police are looking for the girlfriend of the victim, who lives in the area.

Nearby schools were put under tight security and students were not allowed to leave unless parents retrieved them.

“When we were notified of the incident and it was determined the suspect fled, the schools were locked down,” said Feithen.

Even though high school had already been let out, security was notified and the school was also made secure for a period of time for after-school activities.

“Lincoln School is a block or two away from the incident and they were just about to let out,” Feithen said. “We told parents to come and get their children and we had officers at the school and outside the school.”

Students were also transported by three buses loaded one at a time under police supervision.