A UC Davis alumnus, Carlos Reales Dominguezbe charged in a variety of seemingly randomly stabbed killed two men and seriously injured a homeless woman in a Northern California university town.
The attacks took place over a series of six nights, and two of which happened at the local park, spread a tarp over a city that celebrates well-used bike paths, youth sports and large green spaces. The town is engulfed in fear, with youth activities cancelled, restaurants closing early and college students isolated in their dormitories.
Homicide detectives and FBI agents reached out to Davis to assist with the investigation. Dominguez was detained by police Wednesday afternoon near a nearby park where the second fatal stabbing took place, after several Davis residents called police to say he matched descriptions of the victims. evidence in two attacks.
Here’s what we know about Dominguez and the crime for which he is accused.
What do we know about the suspect?
Dominguez, born in El Salvador, entered the country in April 2009 as an unaccompanied minor, according to an official with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. He was transferred to a family member, and his immigration case was administratively closed in April 2012.
Dominguez, a biological science major, was in his third year at UC Davis until April 25, when he was separated for unspecified academic reasons, by university. He has no criminal record, police said.
IN a Thursday interviewDominguez’s father expressed confusion and shock at his son’s arrest, describing Dominguez as a loving brother and son, as well as an outstanding student and athlete at Castlemont High School in London. Oakland, where he graduated in 2020.
“This is inexplicable to me,” he told The Times, adding that he did not know UC Davis. got rid of my son for academic struggles. “He was very excited to come see Davis. I don’t understand how this can happen.”
In a blog dedicated to a health care internship To the students from different backgrounds that Dominguez attended while in high school, he described his dream of becoming a doctor to help people like his grandmother.
He said: “I get into healthcare to help my grandma, who has type 2 diabetes. “It makes me happy and she is happy too, and I just love seeing her smile. .”
Dominguez played soccer and ran track and field in high school, and said in a brief bio on the blog post that he was devoted to his two brothers.
What do we know about crime?
The investigation began April 27, after authorities found the bloody body of David Henry Breaux, 50, a Stanford University graduate, who slept in Davis’s Central Park and known around town for him meek and gentle according to the need of compassion. Breaux was stabbed to death on the bench where he used to sleep. No witnesses have come forward in that attack.
Two days later, 20-year-old Karim Abou Najm, a UC Davis graduate student who recently posted on social media about his joy at finding a job as a software engineer, was stabbed to death in Sycamore Park. as he rode his bike home from a college event on Saturday night. A neighbor who was at the scene after hearing distressed sounds described the attacker as a young man with curly hair and thin build, who fled — and then abandoned — the vehicle. Najm’s bicycle.
On Monday night, a woman in her 60s was attacked while she was sleeping in a homeless shelter on 2nd and L streets near downtown. She was alone in the tent when someone slashed the tarp, reached in, and stabbed her several times. The assailant ran away when her screams attracted the help of her campmates. She was taken to UC Davis Medical Center and is recovering from surgery.
On Wednesday, Dominguez was spotted walking through a park near where Najm was killed on April 29, wearing dark clothing – a black sweater and black sweatpants with white stripes – that matched his description. witnesses to the third attack. With wavy shoulder-length hair and a thin build, Dominguez’s appearance also matched the witness’ description.
Police arrested Dominguez and said they found a large “hunting knife” in his backpack. The weapon is consistent with what a police officer believes was used in the Breaux attack. Davis Police Chief Darren Pytel said investigators spoke with Dominguez for hours before arresting him on all three counts. Pytel describes his style as “reserved” but declined to reveal details of the conversation.
What’s next in the case?
Dominguez was arraigned in Yolo High Court on Friday and pleaded not guilty.
Based on the allegations and allegations of special circumstances, prosecutors may recommend the death penalty in the case. Dominguez remains incarcerated in the Yolo County jail on the pretext of not being released on bail.
