Transient Allegedly Stabbed by Another Transient on Christmas Eve

By Bay City News

Police on Thursday identified a transient man who was killed in a stabbing in Santa Rosa on Christmas Eve as 22-year-old Nicholas Alexander Bloom. 

Bloom was found stabbed to death in an alley behind the downtown library at 211 E St. at about 10:45 p.m. Tuesday after someone reported seeing a body there, Santa Rosa police said. 

The suspect in the stabbing, 26-year-old transient Vladimir Sotelo-Urena, was taken into custody after he was found nearby with blood on his hands and clothing and carrying a bloody knife, according to police. 

Police said Sotelo-Urena confessed to the stabbing under questioning by detectives. The motive and circumstances remain under investigation. 

"There was some sort of conflict when they came in contact with each other," police Sgt. Eric Goldschlag said. 

Goldschlag said the homeless are known to frequent the area behind the library. 

"It's not uncommon for transients to sleep back there," he said.

Sotelo-Urena has been booked into Sonoma County Jail. 

Copyright © 2013 by Bay City News, Inc. -- Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.

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