Two people died and three others were injured when a man stabbed several people on the Fourth of July in Huntington Beach, California.
Police received a call around 11pm reporting a man stabbing people near 16th Street and Pecan Avenue, where a crowd had gathered to watch fireworks.
According to a witness named Deandre Adams, a woman pulled up in a car and a male passenger got out and started attacking people on the sidewalk. Two men from the gathering tackled the attacker and held him until police arrived.
When officers got there, they found several victims with serious injuries. The Huntington Beach Fire Department reported treating five people with stab wounds, but police have not disclosed the type of weapon used.
Two victims died at the scene, and three others were taken to hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening. The victims’ identities have not been released.
Adams knew one of the victims who died and said he was engaged to be married in September.
Police arrested three people, according to Adams — the woman driving the car, the man who carried out the stabbings, and another man who may have been a passenger. Only one of them remains in custody, and it’s unclear if they are a suspect or facing charges.
Investigators are still investigating whether the suspect knew the victims.
A city spokesperson, Jennifer Carey, said details about what led to the attack are part of the ongoing investigation, and assured the public that there is no further threat.