An Orange County sheriff’s deputy was stabbed while conducting outreach for the homeless on Tuesday afternoon in San Clemente. The incident occurred around 2:15 p.m. near the 1700 block of Avenida Estacion. According to the Sheriff’s Department, the deputy sustained a laceration to her neck, measuring about one inch. Fortunately, her injuries were not life-threatening. She was taken to a hospital for treatment and has since been released.
Sheriff’s Department spokesperson Matthew Parrish emphasized that deputies receive training to assist homeless individuals. He noted that they are encouraged to engage with people in need and connect them with available resources.
Authorities are currently searching for the suspect, described as a white man in his mid-30s, with brown hair, blue eyes, and a beard. He stands approximately 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighs around 160 pounds. The man is known to be transient in the area. He was last seen wearing a black jacket and dark pants, fleeing towards a storm drain near Avenida Pico and El Camino Real.
The department has asked the public for assistance in locating the suspect and advised anyone who sees him not to approach but to call 911. In response to the stabbing, two nearby schools, San Clemente High and Las Palmas Elementary, briefly went into lockdown while law enforcement managed the situation. Community members were also advised to avoid the area during the incident.
The Sheriff’s Department expressed gratitude for the community’s cooperation and support as they work to resolve this case.