Suspect arrested after apparent random fatal stabbing of woman in San Diego park
A woman was fatally stabbed Monday morning at a park in the City Heights area.
The 65-year-old, who suffered multiple stab wounds, was attacked while she exercised at Central Avenue Mini Park; she then made her way just outside the park before collapsing on the sidewalk in the 3600 block of Central Avenue. Police, who said they were contacted around 8:30 a.m., later said she had been stabbed in the neck.
Crews from the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department used CPR and a LUCAS device, a mechanical chest compression machine, but the victim was declared dead at the scene.
SDPD released this photo of the suspect in the fatal City Height stabbing on Monday morning
Get San Diego local news, weather forecasts, sports and lifestyle stories to your inbox. Sign up for NBC San Diego newsletters.
Police questioned two obviously distraught women at the scene; it's not yet clear what their relationships were with the victim.
Following the stabbing, the assailant ran off to the south through an alley, SDPD Lt. Steve Shebloski told reporters. Later in the day, SDPD police said he was wearing a New England Patriots hooded sweatshirt, dark pants and white sneakers when he attacked the woman, and that they have surveillance video footage of the suspect and released a still photo of the man they believe committed the attack.
At 5:20 p.m. Monday, detectives found and arrested 23-year-old Hamala Siliveinusi Patafalai at his home in the 3000 block of 39th Street in City Heights.
Patafalai was arrested for one count of murder and will be booked into San Diego County Jail.
It's still unknown if any children were present — there are several large play structures in the park, as well as a skate park — at the time the crime took place.
It was unclear what motivated the deadly violence, which apparently began without warning, police said.
"There is no indication there was an altercation before the female was attacked or that she was targeted for a specific reason," San Diego police said in a news release issued on Monday afternoon. "At this early stage in the investigation, the exact motive for the attack is undetermined. This attack appears to be random and unprovoked."
Investigators are urging anyone with information to call police at (619) 531-2293. Tips can also be called in anonymously to Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.
The victim's name is being withheld pending family notification.
Source: NBC San Diego
