Temecula Homeless Encampment Center Of Murrieta Stabbing Investigation

TEMECULA, CA — A man known to have been staying in a homeless encampment in Temecula is under arrest on suspicion of stabbing a homeless man earlier in the week, Murrieta Police said.

Eric Hill, 38, was arrested at Winchester Road in Murrieta on Thursday afternoon with the assistance of the Riverside County Sheriff's Department. He was being held on pending assault with a deadly weapon charges at the Southwest Detention Center.

At approximately 7:45 p.m. Monday, the Murrieta 911 dispatch received a call from a home on Old Carriage Road, where the victim pleaded for help from a homeowner.

"The caller said that a man came to his door for help and stated that he had been stabbed. Officers responded to the area and mounted a large-scale search for the suspect, which was unsuccessful," authorities said.

The 44-year-old unidentified victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment of his injury.

The Murrieta Police Department’s Detective Bureau launched an immediate and comprehensive investigation into the attack, which quickly led to the identification of the suspect.

The suspect, Eric Hill, is an unhoused individual last known to be living in an encampment in Temecula, where the victim in this case also resided.

On the evening of December 15, 2025, the suspect and victim became involved in an altercation on Whitewood Road near Rockcrest Drive. During the altercation, the suspect stabbed the victim once on his shoulder. The victim fled the area, ultimately jumping over a fence and locating help at a residence on Old Carriage Road.

Thursday afternoon, at approximately 2:15 p.m., deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department located and detained Hill.

Murrieta detectives responded to take custody of Hill and arrested him in connection with the stabbing. He was subsequently booked into the Cois Byrd Detention Center.

Hill has a scheduled Monday morning court date at the Murrieta Southwest Justice Center.

Anyone who may have witnessed this incident and has not already spoken with police is encouraged to contact Detective Velazquez at (951) 461-6340 or via email at evelazquez@murrietaca.gov.