Man knifed in third Santa Rosa stabbing this week

The latest incident occurred after dispute over a bike turned violent near Prince Memorial Greenway, police said.|
NASHELLY CHAVEZ AND ROBERT DIGITALE
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

A dispute over a bicycle turned violent when a man was stabbed in the neck Thursday near Santa Rosa's Prince Memorial Greenway.

It marked the third stabbing in Santa Rosa this week.

The attack happened at about 10:30 a.m. off Olive and West Third streets on the northwest side of the bridge that crosses the Santa Rosa Creek and Prince Memorial Greenway. The suspect, described as a Hispanic or black man in his 30s wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and shorts, and the victim, who's homeless, got into an argument about the suspect's beach cruiser, police said.

A fight between both men ensued. The victim told officers the suspect, who also may be homeless, then slashed him with a knife.

The victim was not identified for safety reasons, Santa Rosa police Sgt. Jeneane Kucker said. He was taken to a local hospital, but his injuries weren't life-threatening.

“Because they're both potentially part of the homeless population, there might be retaliation issues,” Kucker said.

A passerby called police for help, and the suspect was last seen riding away on his red and yellow-colored bicycle east on the creek trail. Police searched the area but weren't able to find him.

Police believe the other two stabbings that happened this week were gang related.

One was reported to police on Tuesday when a man in his mid-20s was stabbed at West Ninth Street's Jacobs Park and left with serious injuries. No arrests were made in that case as of Thursday afternoon, Santa Rosa Sgt. Tommy Isachsen said.

Police have yet to release details on the other incident.

You can reach Staff Writer Nashelly Chavez at 707-521-5203 or nashelly.chavez@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @nashellytweets. You can reach Staff Writer Robert Digitale at 707-521-5285 or robert.digitale@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @rdigit.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The suspect in a stabbing along Santa Rosa's Prince Memorial Greenway did not steal the bike he used to flee. An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated the bike had been stolen from the victim.

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