A search is under way in Murrieta for a man suspected of stabbing three people, killing one of the victims, said police.
Shortly before 4 a.m. Tuesday, police received reports that a woman was screaming hysterically at 40025 Milkwood Lane.
Neighbors were the first to run into the home in response to the screams to find the suspect, identified as 19-year-old William Gary Simpson (right), assaulting a man.
“He was beating on the father and when he saw us, he took off,” said John Sennett, one of the neighbors who charged the home.
In addition, neighbors said Simpson wore an expression on his face that was at odds with his actions.
“The strangest thing is that when [Simpson] was hitting the man, he was smiling,” said neighbor Sheri Chavez.
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"Officers entered the residence and found three victims suffering from stab wounds," Murrieta police Sgt. Phil Gomez told the Press-Enterprise.
A 19-year-old woman, a 17-year-old boy and a 48-year-old man were stabbed multiple times. The female victim, whose identity was not immediately released, died at the scene, said Murrieta police Lt. Tony Conrad.
The other two victims underwent emergency surgery at a hospital and remain in critical condition, he said. Two other occupants of the residence, a juvenile and an adult, were not harmed.
Simpson is a former resident of the property, according to Murrieta police. Witnesses said he was one of several foster children who had been raised by a family residing at the location.
What provoked the attack remains unknown, still neighbors weighed in on the possibilities.
One neighbor said the mother of the family’s second oldest daughter appeared to be the target of the attack. Another claimed the family was having financial trouble.
"The suspect was described as a black male adult, 6 foot to 6'2", approximately 120-130 pounds. Tall and thin. He was described as wearing all dark clothing," Gomez said.
"He was last seen entering the creek bed, which runs between Juniper Street and Los Alamos. We believe the suspect fled west," he said.
Police set up a perimeter and are using K-9s and a police helicopter to search for the man.
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