Planet Fitness employee stabbed by banned person in Wyncote: police

Planet Fitness worker stabbed multiple times at Wyncote gym, suspect caught

A staff member at the Wyncote Planet Fitness was stabbed multiple times, resulting in life-threatening injuries, and the suspect, a recently banned former customer, has been apprehended.

WYNCOTE, Pa. - Police say a Planet Fitness employee was stabbed during a confrontation with a banned individual Thursday afternoon, leaving the victim with life-threatening injuries.

Police and EMS respond to stabbing at local gym

What we know:

Officers responded around 12:33 p.m. to Planet Fitness at 1000 South Easton Road in the Wyncote section of Cheltenham Township after reports of a stabbing.

Police say they found a man with multiple stab wounds and rushed him to a nearby trauma center for emergency treatment.

The suspect was caught a short distance from the gym by responding officers, according to Cheltenham Police.

Investigators say the victim was an employee who got into an altercation with someone previously banned from the business.

The gym, which is usually busy until its 11:00 p.m. closing time, was shut down for the rest of the day. 

A sign on the door read, "closed due to an unexpected emergency," turning away regulars who arrived for their evening workouts. 

Customers arriving at the gym Thursday evening expressed disbelief and concern for the staff member. 

"I can’t believe it. I hope he’s ok," said one gymgoer. Another customer, Isley Robinson of Mount Airy, said, "All the employees are nice, they’re uplifting, they speak when you walk in, they speak when you walk out. I have handshakes with almost all of them. It’s a little bit shocking for something to happen right here." Robin Hendrix of Oreland added, "You come every day, so they get to know you. So it’s very hard to imagine that one of them got injured." 

Police say the worker is receiving treatment for life-threatening injuries. 

The Cheltenham Township Police Department is leading the investigation. 

Community reaction and corporate response 

What they're saying:

Regulars described the gym as a welcoming place where staff and customers know each other. 

"I’ve been coming here for 5 years now and I’ve never felt unsafe, let alone thinking something like that would happen, especially to an employee," said Emily Nice. 

Planet Fitness corporate released this statement: 

"At Planet Fitness, the safety and well-being of our team members and members is our top priority. We are saddened by the incident that took place at our Cheltenham location. Our thoughts are with the team member as they recover. We appreciate local law enforcement’s quick action, and the franchise owner is fully supporting them in their investigation." 

There is no official word yet on whether the gym will reopen Friday.

What you can do:

Police are urging anyone who witnessed the stabbing or has information to contact Cheltenham Detectives at 215.885.1600 or policetips@cheltenhampa.gov.

Tipsters can remain anonymous.

What we don't know:

Police have not released the name of the suspect or provided details about the dispute that led to the stabbing. It is also unclear when the gym will reopen or the current condition of the injured employee beyond the initial report of life-threatening injuries.