A terrifying stabbing spree unfolded across Oakland, California, Monday night, leaving one person dead and four others wounded before police arrested a suspect roughly 30 minutes after the first attack.
The violence began shortly before 7:30 p.m. in East Oakland, when police were called to Cesar Chavez Park in the 1800 block of 38th Avenue for what was initially reported as a shooting.
When officers arrived, they discovered the victim had actually been stabbed.
Police immediately began life-saving measures, but the victim died at the scene. Authorities have not publicly released the person’s identity.
As officers investigated, reports of more stabbing victims began coming in from nearby locations.
A second victim was found near 38th Avenue and San Leandro Street.
BART police then alerted Oakland officers that another stabbing victim had been discovered near the Fruitvale BART station.
Two more victims were later located near 39th Avenue and International Boulevard, bringing the total number of people attacked to five.
The attacks were spread across four locations and happened in a matter of about 30 minutes.
Oakland Police Chief James Beere said investigators believe the attacks were random, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. Police have not released the suspect’s name.
The surviving victims included three men and one woman, with the victims ranging in age from around 30 to their late 50s.
As of Tuesday afternoon, one of the surviving victims remained in critical condition while the other three were listed in stable condition, according to the Chronicle.
Community members played a key role in helping police track down the suspected attacker.
Just before 8 p.m., witnesses directed officers toward the 1500 block of 39th Avenue.
Police located the suspect, who reportedly ran from officers before being confronted nearby.
Chief Beere said officers ordered the man to drop the weapon, and he was ultimately taken into custody without further incident.
A weapon was recovered at the scene.
Police said the suspect is believed to be unhoused.
Authorities have not publicly identified him or explained whether there was any connection between him and the victims.
Investigators are still working to determine exactly what triggered the violent spree and piece together the timeline of each attack.
Oakland’s Homicide Section is leading the investigation into the fatal stabbing.
Police are asking anyone who witnessed any of the attacks, or who may have photos or video from the area, to contact investigators.
A stronger, clickier title would be:
30-Minute Stabbing Rampage Leaves 1 Dead, 4 Wounded Across Major California City
Or even punchier:
California City Rocked by 30-Minute Stabbing Rampage That Leaves 1 Dead, 4 Injured
“Unhoused”, you mean homeless? Why the need to play word games, a homeless POS by any other name is still the same.