Suspect in Santa Rosa slashing booked on suspicion of attemptedmurder

The Santa Rosa man arrested Saturday after allegedly slashing a woman with a kitchen knife was booked on suspicion of attempted murder, according to police.

Alexander John Mahan, 24, reportedly confronted a woman in her yard, cutting her on the forearms and wrists before she was able to fight him off with the help of her husband. The woman was taken to an area hospital where she was treated and released.

"He lived in the area but we are still exploring what the motivation was," Sgt. Brad Conners said. "There is no evidence that he knew her other than he likely lived in the same neighborhood."

There is no evidence that alcohol or drugs were involved, Conners said.

The afternoon attack ended when the woman's husband heard her screaming in the front yard of their home on Sunnywood Circle and was able to pull the suspect away.