A man died at the scene, and a woman died at a local hospital. Three others are in serious but stable condition.
“Our hearts go out to the loved ones of the two victims who perished in this attack, and we pray for the rapid and full recovery of the three surviving victims,” said Liccardo at the same news conference.
“In those very rare circumstances where an undocumented offender has a record of violent or serious prior convictions, the county should be acting in accordance with the state’s Values Act, and notifying ICE that a person will be released out into the community unless ICE responds. In this case, I’m told that the county received an ICE detainer request but did not notify ICE of the defendant’s release,” Liccardo said.
The California Values Act, also known as SB 54, was passed in 2017 to prevent state and local resources from helping the federal government carry out mass deportations.
The church is used as a homeless shelter, providing meals and shelter services. The suspect is homeless and has taken shelter at the church before.
“The first unit arrived on scene within two minutes of the first 911 call. Callers reported that a male was actively stabbing people in the church. Callers reported that the suspect was still in the church, armed with a knife. Another told a dispatcher that a man was going crazy, stabbing people and there was blood everywhere,” Garcia said.
De Jesus Lopez-Garcia was charged with two murder counts, three counts of attempted murder, battery on a spouse or cohabitant, and violating a protective order.
He was arrested twice last year and released on unknown dates, but ICE was never notified.
Motivation for the stabbing is uncertain. Witnesses said the suspect seemed to be under the influence of drugs, but the police have not confirmed it at this point.