Bystanders Stabbed, Assaulted By Man They Tried To Help: Petaluma PD

PETALUMA, CA — A man is accused of stabbing three people in a violent assault last week in Petaluma, police said.

The incident began at 8:05 p.m. Wednesday when police initially responded to a report of a person who was unresponsive and lying on the sidewalk on Ely Boulevard South at Sugarloaf Court. Because of the nature of the call, personnel from the Petaluma police and fire departments responded.

While officers and firefighter/paramedics were en route, dispatchers updated them that the person had reportedly "come to" and armed himself with a knife, Petaluma police Lt. Matthew Parnow said.

Officers arrived and found two victims who were stabbed and a third victim suffering from an injury to his head.

After they tended to the victims and interviewed witnesses, officers determined that a handful of people stopped to help Christian Baker, 30, of Santa Rosa, when he was lying unresponsive on the sidewalk. As they rendered aid and called 911, Baker spontaneously stood up and armed himself with a knife, Parnow said.

It is believed that as Baker chased innocent people around while armed with the knife, a struggle ensued and Baker pushed one of the bystanders to the ground, knocking him unconscious.

It is alleged that Baker advanced toward the victim who was still lying on the ground.

"Other bystanders came to the aid of the victim and helped stop Baker who appeared intent on stabbing the unconscious victim who had been pushed to the ground," Parnow said.

Two of the bystanders suffered cuts to their hands, police said.

When officers got there, they took Baker into custody with the help of bystanders.

Officers saw signs and symptoms that Baker was under the influence of alcohol. A records check revealed he had a significant criminal history which included being on parole for burglary.

Baker was taken to Sonoma County jail where was booked on suspicion of three counts of assault with a deadly weapon, one count of obstructing/resisting a police officer, and violation of his parole.

Meanwhile, the three victims were taken to local hospitals for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. The two victims who were stabbed in the hand received suturing before being released from the hospital, Parnow said.

"We want to thank all those who stopped and rendered aid," Parnow said. "It is unfortunate their good deeds were met with such a violent act. We are thankful that all three victims sustained non-life-threatening injuries and we wish them all the best as they recover from this event."