A series of seemingly random stabbings that occurred in East Oakland on Monday evening were carried out by the same suspect, police said Tuesday at a press conference.
Just before 7:30 p.m. Monday, a stabbing occurred at Cesar Chavez Park on 38th Avenue. The victim, identified Tuesday as Gonsalo Lopez, 58, was declared dead at the scene.
Four more people — two men and two women aged 30s to 50s — were found with stab wounds soon after.
"So far, we do believe that they were random, we don't have any connection with the suspect and the victims, but it's still early on in the investigation," OPD Capt. Gloria Beltran said Tuesday.
A second victim was located near 38th Avenue and San Leandro Street, police said.
While tending to that victim, another call came in reporting a third stabbing victim who had been found near the Fruitvale BART station. Two more stabbing victims were then found near 39th Avenue and International Boulevard.
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Officers located the suspect with the community's help in the 1500 block of 39th Avenue about 30 minutes later.
Three victims were all in stable condition Tuesday and one remains in critical condition, according to police.
The Oakland Police Department has not named the suspect.
Anyone with information, video, or photos related to the case is asked to contact the OPD HomicideSection at 510-238-3821, or the department's tip line at 510-238-7950, or can email footage to cidvideos@oaklandca.gov.
