Man sentenced after stabbing 7-year-old at Walmart ‘for the rush,’ then attacking Dollar Tree employee

PARKER, Colo. (Gray News) - A man in Colorado was sentenced after going on a random stabbing rampage that left three people injured, including a 7-year-old boy who was stabbed at Walmart.

Luke Barkhaus pleaded guilty to felony child abuse and two counts of first-degree assault in connection with the January 2025 stabbings, according to the 23rd Judicial District Attorney’s Office.

He was sentenced to 40 years in prison.

The attack began with Barkhaus stabbing someone near their eye at a restaurant, KMGH reported.

Then he visited a Dollar Tree in Aurora, where prosecutors said he stabbed an employee’s head.

Afterward, Barkhaus attacked a 7-year-old child at Walmart.

Heallegedly stated he stabbed the victims “for the rush” and reportedly bought the knife days before the attacks and, if not arrested, “would have continued to do it.”

Parker detectives tracked Barkhaus to Aurora, where he was arrested two days after the attacks.

He has an extensive criminal history, including substance abuse, and a history of mental health issues.