Stabbing suspect arrested for injuring three during ‘Defend Armenia' rally in California
A stabbing suspect has been arrested for allegedly slashing three people in California during a demonstration in support of Armenia.
Officers with the Fresno Police Department on Wednesday responded to reports of violence near the River Park Shopping Center, not far from where the “Defend Armenia” rally was unfolding. More than 100 people attended the event, aimed at raising awareness about the ongoing conflict between Armenia and Azerabijan, according to ABC 30.
When authorities arrived on the scene around 7 p.m., they learned a man had grown frustrated by a traffic jam, sparked by the event. Several demonstrators parked cars across Blackstone’s northbound lane, bringing vehicles to a crawl.
Police said that the suspect got out of his car armed with a wooden baton and knife and almost immediately started arguing with protesters.
The man, identified as Jamie Fonesca, started swinging his bat and attempted to slash one of their banners, according to Fox 26. When demonstrators tried to stop him, he attacked them with the knife, injuring three.
Two of the three victims were rushed to CRMC and treated for non-life= threatening injuries, police said.
In wake of the attack, Fonesca, still visibly upset, returned to his vehicle and then drove around the block while yelling at demonstrators.
Other motorists on the scene snapped photos and video of Fonesca’s car and license plate and then passed them along to authorities. The 41-year-old was arrested later the same night and the weapons used in the attack have since been recovered.