Suspect Arrested Following Deadly Stabbings at Church
By Peter Fimrite and Nora Mishanec
Source San Francisco Chronicle/TNS
SAN JOSE, CA-Police on Monday arrested a suspect in the stabbing that killed two people and injured several others at the Grace Baptist Church near San Jose State University Sunday night, authorities said.
Police did not immediately identify the suspect Monday morning.
Police rushed to the scene at the church, at 484 East San Fernando St., shortly after 9 p.m. Sunday and found multiple victims, the police tweeted over their media relations channel.
"We can confirm we have multiple stabbing victims; some with life threatening injuries," the police tweeted, adding later that "two victims have succumbed to their injuries and have been pronounced deceased."
The deaths bring to 41 the number of homicides in San Jose this year.
The police said first responders "rendered aid to victims in the middle of a chaotic scene and undoubtedly saved lives."
San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo on Monday tweeted his support for the victims as the investigation continued.
"We pray for the recovery of others seriously injured in that attack," Liccardo said Monday morning.
It was not clear what led to the stabbings, but police said homeless people had been allowed to shelter inside the church.
In addition to sheltering homeless people, the church also offers showers daily, according to its answering machine message.
"For clarification, no church services were being conducted at the time of the stabbing." police said. "Unhoused individuals were brought into the church to get them out of the cold."
Police did not say whether the people brought into the church were involved in the attacks or whether church officials were among the victims.
Church leaders were not immediately available to comment Monday.
Peter Fimrite and Nora Mishanec are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: [email protected], Nora Mishanec [email protected] Twitter: @pfimrite @NMishanec
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