Man Sentenced For Stabbing Elderly Trolley Rider In East County

EL CAJON, CA — A man who repeatedly stabbed and seriously wounded a 71-year-old man at an El Cajon trolley station was sentenced Thursday to seven years to life in state prison.

Israel Valdivia, 27, was convicted by an El Cajon jury earlier this year of attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon for attacking the victim, Jose Serra, in November of 2021.

Serra and Valdivia were strangers to one another, according to police.

Prosecutors said that when Serra got off a trolley while on his way to work, Valdivia approached and stabbed him multiple times, nearly severing Serra's ear. After Serra collapsed to the ground, Valdivia kicked him, then ran, according to prosecutors.

Valdvidia was arrested in Texas later that month. At the time of the stabbing, Valdivia was wanted for violating probation in connection with a separate assault with a deadly weapon conviction.

In a statement released after the sentencing, San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan said, "This was a vicious, unprovoked attack on a vulnerable older man who was simply exiting the trolley to go to work. Today's sentence brings a measure of justice to the victim and to the community at large. We will not tolerate senseless assaults in our trolley system or anywhere."

— City News Service