San Diego authorities announced on Monday the identification of Damien Garcia, aged 33, who tragically succumbed to a fatal stabbing incident last week within the premises of a gas station.
Lieutenant Jud Campbell, in a news bulletin, disclosed that the dreadful incident unfolded around 1:15 p.m. at a gas station located on University Avenue near College Avenue in Redwood Village.
The altercation erupted when Garcia confronted another individual, also 33 years old, as he was refueling his vehicle at the gas station.
According to detectives, the altercation stemmed from a personal conflict, as the assailant had previously been romantically involved with Garcia’s current partner.
The confrontation escalated into physical violence when Garcia initiated an assault on the other man, precipitating a scuffle within the confines of the parking lot.
Campbell recounted, “At one point, the victim managed to overpower the suspect, pinning him to the ground and delivering multiple blows. It was during this scuffle that the suspect resorted to wielding a knife, inflicting fatal wounds upon the victim.”
Following the altercation, the two individuals disengaged, with Garcia seeking refuge at the gas station’s teller booth, while the assailant remained in the vicinity of his vehicle.
Upon the arrival of law enforcement, Garcia was discovered in the parking lot and promptly transported to a medical facility. Tragically, he succumbed to his injuries shortly thereafter.
The other party involved in the altercation remained at the scene and cooperated with authorities. The police have confirmed that he sustained non-life-threatening head injuries.
Authorities temporarily detained the individual pending further investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
