A sheriff’s deputy in Orange County was stabbed while conducting outreach to homeless individuals in San Clemente on Tuesday afternoon. The incident happened around 2:15 p.m. near the 1700 block of Avenida Estacion. Fortunately, the deputy sustained a non-life-threatening injury, suffering a 1-inch laceration to her neck. She was taken to a hospital and has since been released, according to Sheriff’s Department spokesperson Matthew Parrish.
The deputy was part of a team trained to assist homeless people and connect them with available resources. Parrish emphasized the importance of these outreach efforts, stating that deputies are encouraged to engage with homeless individuals during their patrols to help them access necessary services.
Authorities are now searching for the suspect, described as a white man in his mid-30s, with brown hair, blue eyes, and a beard. He stands about 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighs around 160 pounds. The man is known to frequent the area and was last seen wearing a black jacket and dark pants, running towards a storm drain near Avenida Pico and El Camino Real.
The Sheriff’s Department has urged anyone who might see the suspect not to approach him but to call 911 instead. The community has been thanked for its assistance and patience during the ongoing search.
In response to the incident, two nearby schools, San Clemente High and Las Palmas Elementary, temporarily sheltered in place while deputies worked to address the situation. Members of the public were also advised to stay clear of the area during the investigation.