Manhunt On In Davis For Suspect After 3 Stabbings, 2 Fatal

DAVIS, CA — A community remains on edge as Davis police responded Monday night to a third stabbing in less than a week.

Two of the stabbings were fatal; the third and most recent stabbing was reported at 11:45 p.m. Monday in a known transient camp in the area of 2nd Street and L Street, Davis police said.

A female victim told police a male suspect stabbed her more than one time through her tent. The woman was treated at the scene, then taken to the UC Davis Medical Center where she was in critical condition, police said.

Residents were told to shelter in place early Tuesday as police from the City of Davis and numerous allied agencies from the Yolo and Sacramento areas searched for a suspect described as a light-complected man with curly hair, between 5 feet 6 and 5 feet 9 inches tall with a thin build wearing a black or blue sweatshirt, black Adidas pants with white stripes, black shoes and carrying a brown back pack.

The suspect was last seen running westbound on Third Street from L Street, police said.

Detailed searches, including yard-to-yard searches, were continuing Tuesday of the surrounding neighborhoods and downtown Davis area using drones and canine units.

Saturday night, a victim identified as Karim Abou Najm, a 20-year-old UC Davis student and graduate of Davis High School, was fatally stabbed at Sycamore Park.

Around 9:15 p.m. Saturday, a resident heard a disturbance in the park near Sycamore Lane and Colby Drive. The resident went outside to investigate and found a man, later identified as Najm, suffering from multiple stab wounds, and immediately called 911. Najm was declared dead at the scene.

The suspect was described as a light-skinned male, possibly Hispanic, between 5 feet 7 and 5 feet 8 inches tall with long curly loose hair. He was wearing a white hat, a light-colored T-shirt, and a button-up shirt over it, and riding a men’s bike with straight handlebars.

At the time, police were not sure whether it was related to the first fatal stabbing that happened Thursday at Central Park in Davis. Police have not publicly identified the first victim.

The shelter-in-place order that was in place following the most recent stabbing late Monday night at 2nd and L streets was lifted at 5:15 a.m. Tuesday.

"Please continue to be aware of your surroundings," Davis police said. "If you must be out at night, consider traveling in groups, and report suspicious activity to the Davis Police Department by calling 530-747-5400, emailing policeweb@cityofdavis.org, or if you would like to remain anonymous, call our tip line at 530-747-5460."