PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — A 22-year-old man appeared in court Wednesday after he allegedly stabbed three people in Providence, including his 8-year-old nephew.

Major David Lapatin said a 73-year-old woman and a 50-year-old man were watching TV in their Reynolds Avenue apartment Tuesday night when they heard screaming coming from another room.

Laptin said they found the 8-year-old boy covered in blood and 22-year-old Victor Espinal holding a knife.

When the man and woman ran to help the boy, Espinal allegedly attacked and stabbed them as well.

WATCH: Providence police briefing (Story continues below.)

The man was eventually able to get the knife out of Espinal’s hand, which Lapatin said he threw it out of his reach while waiting for police to arrive.

Officers found Espinal in a bedroom and eventually placed him under arrest. He was charged with three counts of felony assault and resisting arrest.

“It’s early in the investigation but there could have been some mental health issues or something that was drug-ignited, we don’t know yet,” Lapatin said.

The boy suffered “quite a few injuries,” according to Lapatin. He underwent surgery and is now believed to be in stable condition.

The incident remains under investigation.