A California man is facing charges of homicide and attempted homicide following a brutal home invasion that left a man dead and his wife seriously injured. The suspect, identified as 36-year-old Manual Alvarez, allegedly broke into a couple’s home in Murrieta, California, early Wednesday morning, according to a statement from the Murrieta Police Department.
The incident occurred around 8:30 a.m. when an unidentified individual entered a residence on Old Spring Road. The intruder attacked a 70-year-old man and his wife, using a knife and a screwdriver as weapons. The woman was stabbed in the head with a screwdriver, while her husband was stabbed with a knife.
The woman managed to call 911, informing authorities that she believed her husband was deceased and that the assailant had fled the scene through the back door. She provided a description of the suspect, noting his beard and mustache, black clothing, and bare feet.
Upon arrival, police officers administered medical aid to the injured woman and confirmed the death of her husband. A search for the suspect was immediately initiated. Less than half an hour later, authorities believed they had located the suspect hiding in a ravine behind a house on Wild Flower Drive.
Despite police commands, the suspect continued to hide. With the assistance of a K-9 unit, Alvarez was apprehended. The female victim was transported to a hospital where she was listed in stable condition as of Wednesday. Alvarez was also treated for injuries sustained during his arrest before being booked into the Cois Byrd Detention Center.
The violent incident has left the typically peaceful neighborhood in shock. Residents expressed their disbelief and fear, noting that such violent incidents are rare in their community. As of Friday, Alvarez had not been medically cleared to appear in court. Investigators believe that the suspect gained entry to the home through an unlocked door and that the attack was random.