Suspect arrested following two morning stabbings in El Centro

One suspect is behind bars after police said two victims were stabbed at different locations in El Centro.

The El Centro Police Department (ECPD), saID the stabbings happened in broad daylight with plenty of people and witnesses present.

ECPD saID both of the stabbings were random and unprovoked.

“There’s no familiarity between the victims and the suspect. The victims did nothing to the suspect to provoke the attack. The suspect just chose to do what he did,” said ECPD Commander, Aaron Reel.

At 9:00 a.m. on Friday, ECPD received a report from the El Centro Regional Medical Center about a victim being stabbed.

Police followed up with the victim and learned the stabbing happened in front of McDonald’s on North Imperial Avenue.

As officers looked for the suspect, ECPD received a second call.

“There was a second stabbing reported at Smart and Final, which is approximately two blocks to the North of McDonald’s. The officers continued to search the area and were able to locate the suspect at Vons, which is just another block further to the North,” said Reel.

The second victim was taken to the hospital for treatment.

Both victims are expected to recover from their injuries.

El Centro resident Ofelia Velarde, says she does a lot of shopping at Smart and Final and at other stores along Imperial Avenue.

She was shocked to learn the suspect had stabbed a complete stranger.

“This can happen to anyone and it’s unfair, we need to be aware of our surroundings. I think this man wasn’t in his right mind, but there is no excuse for what he did,” said Velarde.

ECPD said the suspect is a 40-year-old El Centro Resident and is facing two counts of assault with a deadly weapon.

He’s currently in custody at the Imperial County Jail and is being held on a $50,000 bond.