At about 3:20 pm Tuesday afternoon, the Turlock Police Department, Turlock Fire Department, and American Medical Response were dispatched to a reported aggravated assault in progress at Columbia Park, 600 Columbia Street, Turlock, where a juvenile was stabbing a man.
When officers arrived on scene, they saw two subjects fighting at the park, one of which matched the description of their suspect. Officers conducted a high risk takedown at gunpoint and detained both subjects until they could further investigate.
The victim was found just north of the park near the intersection of Farr Street and West Main Street. Fire and medical personnel treated him for a non-life threatening stab wound and he refused to be transported to the hospital.
Officers began investigating and learned that the suspect had approached the victim and told him to leave the park, based on his ethnicity. As the victim complied with the order and attempted to run away, the suspect obtained a knife and lunged at him, stabbing him.
The investigation further revealed that the other subject that they had detained that had been fighting with the suspect had actually helped the victim get away and intervened with the stabbing. That subject was released and refused to provide a statement.
The suspect was arrested and booked into Stanislaus County Juvenile Hall on charges of attempted homicide and committing a hate crime. His identity will not be released because he is a juvenile.
The investigation remains on-going. Anyone with information that could assist in the investigation is encouraged to call Officer Colton Bickle at 209-668-5550 extension 6311.
