Pittsburgh doctor stabbed to death after intruder allegedly attacks him, wife as they slept: police

A Pittsburgh children's hospital doctor was stabbed to death and his wife critically injured after a man allegedly entered their home and attacked the couple as they slept early Thursday, police said.

Dr. Idris Evans, 46, was killed in the attack at his home in Edgewood, Pennsylvania, according to the Allegheny County Police Department.

His wife remained in critical but stable condition Thursday, police told Fox News Digital.

County 9-1-1 received a report of a stabbing in the 100 block of Linden Avenue at 12:31 a.m. First responders found Evans and his wife suffering from multiple stab wounds, police said.

UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, where Dr. Idris Evans worked as a pediatric critical care physician. (Google Maps)

Evans was taken to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His wife was also transported to a hospital.

Police identified 32-year-old Elijah Hemingway of Pittsburgh as the suspect.

Detectives determined through witness interviews that Hemingway allegedly entered the home and attacked Evans and his wife while they were sleeping, according to police.

Evans' wife told investigators that they awoke to a man attacking them in bed with a kitchen knife, according to court documents obtained by KDKA. She said the attacker was wearing only underwear and uttered about "being God," the outlet reported.

Allegheny County police are investigating the stabbing death of Dr. Idris Evans in Edgewood, Pa. (iStock)

During the attack, Evans' wife yelled for the couple's children, ages 8 and 12, to get out of the house and go to a neighbor's home, according to KDKA.

She also told investigators that Evans called the attacker "Elijah," as though he knew him, according to the outlet.

"We do not know if there was any pre-existing relationship," Allegheny County Assistant Superintendent Victor Joseph said, according to KDKA. "The woman did not know this male. We are trying to determine if the two males knew each other."

A K-9 unit from the Monroeville Police Department searching the area found Hemingway behind a nearby home with cuts to his hand, according to county police. Hemingway remained hospitalized Thursday pending transfer to the Allegheny County Jail, police told Fox News Digital.

Hemingway faces charges including criminal homicide, aggravated assault, burglary and criminal trespass, police said. Police told Fox News Digital there were no updates to the charges Thursday.

A Pittsburgh children's hospital doctor was stabbed to death and his wife critically injured after a man allegedly entered their home and attacked the couple. (Robert Knopes/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images, File)

Investigators have not announced a motive. Police told Fox News Digital that both a possible motive and whether Hemingway and Evans knew each other remained part of the ongoing investigation.

Evans was the medical director of the Pediatric Critical Care Transport Team at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh and an assistant professor of critical care medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, according to his university profile.

"The UPMC and University of Pittsburgh community is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Dr. Idris Evans, a pediatric critical care physician at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh and an assistant professor of critical care medicine at the University of Pittsburgh," a UPMC spokesperson told Fox News Digital in a statement.

"Dr. Evans was a dedicated caregiver and valued member of our hospital and university communities. Our thoughts are with his family, loved ones, and colleagues during this difficult time. We ask that their privacy be respected."