SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - Two men in their 70s were rushed to hospital in critical condition after being violently stabbed by a man downtown Monday morning.
“These appear from what we’ve been told just random acts,” said Lt. Brian Avera with the San Diego Police Department.
Avera said the first victim was stabbed 14 times outside the 7-Eleven on West C Street.
Police were called around 5:30 a.m. to a report of multiple stabbings and robberies.
The violence continued outside Sabrina Café and Deli with the suspect allegedly slashing a man who refused to hand over his backpack.
Avera said the suspect, who is believed to be homeless and allegedly was high on drugs, then headed to the Westin Bayview Hotel where he stabbed a hotel security guard, also in his 70s, four times.
He said the suspect also robbed one person and then assaulted two others at the Guild Hotel leaving six victims in total.
Mike Athnathious owns Sabrina Café and Deli and said when he showed up for work Monday he thought his deli might have been broken into again when he saw police.
He said he’s seen an increase in the number of homeless people in distress frequenting the area near his shop and called on city council to take action.
“We’re losing business and we need attention from the City of San Diego, the mayor, taking care of this area.”
Chris Chandler is a Little Italy resident and said in the last year he’s noticed an uptick in the number of homeless people in the area. He said he’s been yelled at by a homeless person who was in distress.
“When you’re outside during the day you feel fine but at night you really want to make sure that you’re cautious and you don’t really want to be out by yourself,” he said.
Lt. Avera said the victims are expected to make a full recovery. The suspect has been booked and is facing several charges including attempted homicide, assault with a deadly weapon and robbery.
The stabbing spree comes just days after another violent morning downtown. Last Friday, in the Gaslamp area, John Reed, a 29-year-old man, was shot and found dead lying on a sidewalk.
Police believe Reed got into an argument with a group of people before the confrontation escalated into the shooting.
