WALKER, Mich. (WOOD) — Police say the apartment they were surrounding Tuesday as they sought a stabbing suspect turned out to be empty.

Around 12:45 p.m., officers with the Walker Police Department responded to Apple Ridge Apartments at Manzana Court off of Lake Michigan Drive for a report of a stabbing.

Responding officers arrived to find a 33-year-old woman who had been stabbed multiple times, according to Walker Police Department Chief Keith Mankel. They gave her first aid then took her to the hospital in serious condition. After 5 p.m., Walker police said the victim was out of surgery and stable.

Police believe the victim and the suspect know each other but detectives are still investigating. The victim lived at the apartment and officers are trying to figure out whether the suspect was staying with her at the time, Mankel said.

Wyoming police’s tactical team and deputies with the Kent County Sheriff’s Office were on scene for hours working to secure the apartment and building. Witnesses had told officers the suspect was likely still in the building.

When officers made entry to the apartment using the help of a tactical drone, the suspect was not inside. Mankel said police do not believe there is any danger to the public because the suspect and victim knew each other.

They do not have a description of the suspect, Mankel said.

Apartments in the same building were evacuated and a nearby school, Cummings Elementary, went on lockdown.

“A lot of it is precautionary. This is a serious crime. So we take every step to protect the surrounding apartments — they’ve been evacuated. Also to protect our officers,” said Mankel.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Walker Police Department at 616.791.6887 or Silent Observer at 616.774.2345.