Officials were searched for a temporary man who allegedly stabbed an Orange County Sheriff’s deputy during a routine homeless outreach in San Clemente Tuesday afternoon.
According to the Sheriff’s Department, the incident occurred around 2:15 p.m. Department spokesman Matthew Parrish said the agent suffered a lifeless 1-inch tear on his neck and was taken to hospital and later released.
“All of our representatives are trained on the different resources available to homeless people,” Parrish said. “When they patrol there, we encourage them to talk to homeless people to see if they know the services and if they can connect them to help.”
The department is seeking public help to find the suspect, who is described as a white man in his 30s with brown hair, blue eyes and beard, about 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighs 160 pounds. According to the department, he was a known transient in the area, and he was last running towards the rainwater drain near Avenida Pico and El Camino Real in a black coat and dark pants.
“If you see a suspect, please do not approach him and call 9-1-1. Thanks to the community for their help and patience in this incident.”
Two nearby schools, San Clement High School and Las Palmas Elementary School, have temporarily sheltered, and deputies responded to the incident and warned the public to stay away from the area.
