Pittsburgh police took a man into custody late Monday afternoon at the Target store in East Liberty after, they say, he stabbed three people.

The incident began nearby at Highland Avenue and Whitfield Street, when the man cut another man's face and fled into the store at the intersection of Penn Avenue and Penn Circle, Pittsburgh police Sgt. Tom Huerbin said.

Store security told police that two men followed the man into Target searching for him, police spokeswoman Diane Richard said. The man with the knife chased one of the two men out of a restroom in the front of the store, she said.

The man with the knife then "ran toward the checkout lanes and grabbed a 16-year-old female who was standing with family members and held her in front of him with knife still in hand," Ms. Richard said.

The girl was cut in the back and arm and was transported to Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, where she was in serious condition Monday night, Ms. Richard said.

One man's lip was cut, and one had deep cuts to his fingers, she said. They were transported to UPMC Presbyterian. A bystander was taken to UPMC Shadyside for chest pain, Ms. Richard said.

The man with the knife was shocked by a Taser and pepper-sprayed before being taken into custody, Sgt. Huerbin said. He was treated for pepper spray exposure and will be held in the Allegheny County Jail. Charges are pending the investigation, Sgt. Huerbin said.

A police officer also was treated for exposure to pepper spray, he said.

"None of the injuries reported appeared to be life-threatening," Ms. Richard said.

Police responded to the store about 5:30 p.m., she said.

The names of those involved, including the man taken into custody and the police officer, have not been released.

Target closed after the incident and planned to reopen after a contractor cleaned the store, Sgt. Huerbin said.

First Published: March 26, 2013, 8:00 a.m.