Second stabbing homicide at Davis park in 4 days — UC Davis student identified as victim

A UC Davis student was killed Saturday night in a Davis park, the second stabbing death at a city park in four days, and police are working to determine whether the two homicides are related.

The Davis Police Department said that a resident living near Sycamore Park heard a disturbance outside just after 9 p.m. When the resident went outside in the area of Sycamore Lane and Colby Drive, they found a man with multiple stab wounds and called 911.

When officers and fire personnel responded, they located the victim, who was declared dead at the scene. On Sunday afternoon, the Yolo County Coroner’s Office identified him as Karim Abou Najm, a 20-year-old UC Davis student and a graduate of Davis High School.

“Despite conducting an exhaustive search of the area surrounding the park for the suspect with the support of other Yolo County law enforcement agencies using canines and drones, the suspect has not yet been located,” police said in the update.

Authorities say they are looking for a man between the ages of 19 and 23 and 5-foot-7 to 5-foot-8 as a potential suspect in Saturday’s homicide. Police said the suspect was “a light-skinned male, possibly Hispanic,” had “long curly loose hair” and was last seen wearing a white hat and a light-colored T-shirt beneath a button-up shirt. Police believe the suspect was riding a men’s bike with straight handlebars.

Officers did make contact with one person of interest “within 5 blocks of the crime scene who closely matched the suspect description.”

“The subject was later booked at the Yolo County Jail for an outstanding warrant issued out of Placer County for public intoxication and resisting arrest,” police said, adding that officers collected additional evidence and a search warrant was obtained.

Anyone who may have been in the area of Sycamore Park between 8:30 and 9:30 p.m. or residents in the area who possess surveillance camera footage are urged to call the Police Department at 530-747-5400 or to email policeweb@cityofdavis.org. Those with information who wish to remain anonymous can call 530-747-5460.

Is it connected to Central Park stabbing?

Police said they also are investigating whether the incident is related to the stabbing death of David Henry Breaux, a 50-year-old man known as the “Compassion Guy” and a regular fixture at Central Park. His body was discovered at the downtown park on Thursday.

Authorities said in Sunday afternoon’s update while both homicides had “common factors,” including the use of a knife to commit the crimes, there were no known connections between the victims.

“Officers continue to follow up and several tips that have been received which have resulted in arrests made on unrelated charges or outstanding warrants,” the department said. “Although none of these individuals have been linked to the murders.”

While homicides remain under investigation, police officials wanted residents to know that all available resources “will be used to ensure the safety of our community.”

“The department understands the uncertainty, fear and panic that is arising in the community. A substantial number of extra officers have been deployed to conduct directed patrols around schools and parks, and to ensure an enhanced public safety presence throughout the city.”

Officials at UC Davis said Sunday they were working “collaboratively” with the city’s police department following the stabbings, providing “extra patrols in the city and on campus.”

“The university shares in concerns over safety in our community and urges students and residents to be aware of their surroundings and call campus or city police should they have any information to help solve these crimes,” university officials said in a news release.

Meanwhile, the Davis Phoenix Coalition will host a vigil for Breaux at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at “Compassion Corner” at Third and C streets next to Central Park. The corner is where the “Compassion Bench” is located. Breaux was instrumental in creating and installing the bench in 2013.

“The death of David Breaux is utterly and completely devastating,” Davis Mayor Will Arnold said in a city statement. “Many of us knew David. We talked with him. We shared in his vision for a kinder world.”