Man Stabbed After Argument Turns Violent At North County Store

SAN MARCOS, CA — A man was arrested after stabbing another man during an argument and injuring a woman who tried to intervene in San Diego's North County, authorities said.

The attack happened around 12:20 p.m. Wednesday when a group was shopping at a store in the 1300 block of East Mission Road in San Marcos, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Office.

Two of the men in the group started to argue with one another. The argument became heated and turned violent when Edwin Mendoza, 20, pulled a knife and began attacking the victim, according to sheriff's officials.

"Several firefighters from the Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District were nearby and witnessed the attack," officials said. "The firefighters intervened and separated the males and detained Mendoza until deputies arrived on scene."

The male victim suffered life-threatening injuries in the attack, while the woman suffered non-life-threatening injuries, according to officials.

Both victims were taken to a hospital, where they were listed in stable condition.

Mendoza was booked into the Vista Detention Facility on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and attempted murder, according to jail booking logs.