Man suspected of being the Stockton serial killer is charged with three murders and two assaults in a case that has horrified the community
A man who was arrested following a rash of police stabbings in Stockton is now charged with three murders and two assaults.
Police were called to reports of four assaults, one gunshot and a stabbing at the Royal Gardens apartment complex Sunday morning.
One victim was taken to hospital, but the other two were pronounced dead from their injuries.
A man, who police said was suspected of being the Stockton serial killer, was arrested in Stockton after a police officer was injured during the incident.
The officer, who has not been identified, was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries and is in a stable condition.
At the time of the incident, there were 24 stabbings and a stabbing across California and in New York, and another victim suffered injuries from a gunshot.
The alleged Stockton killer, identified by investigators as Daniel James Lewis, is charged with one count of murder for the death of one victim and two counts of aggravated murder for the deaths of the two other victims.
One of the victims was killed by a gunshot and another victim was killed by a stab wound, according to the charges.
In total there were 14 victims across the US and in Australia, four of whom were fatally injured.
Lewis is also charged with four counts of aggravated assault, five counts of assault with a deadly weapon, three counts of assault and one count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.
Investigators say Lewis used a knife to stab two victims and then shot a third victim. They say he then used the same knife to stab two other victims.
It is alleged Lewis used a gun to attack a fourth victim, but it is not said if that victim was killed.
Detective Sergeant Chris Pemberton said the Stockton incidents are the first that he has been aware of where officers have had to use non-lethal force to stop a violent suspect.
“The community is united in this terrible tragedy and we are still working hard to bring closure for the victim families and to ensure that justice is served,” Pemberton said.
“We know this individual is a dangerous offender and will receive a lengthy sentence for his crimes.
“This arrest was a difficult one to make, but we are thankful for the teamwork