Carlos Reales Dominguez, a former University of California, Davis student, recently pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and attempted murder. Dominguez is accused of a series of stabbings, leaving two men dead and a homeless woman hospitalized.
Less than two days before the attacks took place, 20-year-old Dominguez was expelled from UC Davis for poor academic performance. He briefly addressed the court to waive his right to a speedy preliminary hearing.
Prosecutors may seek the death penalty in this case.
The stabbing spree began on April 27, when authorities discovered the body of 50-year-old David Henry Breaux, a Stanford University graduate. They found his body in Davis’ Central Park. The victim had been fatally stabbed a on a park bench, but no witnesses have come forward to confirm how it happened.
On April 29th, 20-year-old Karim Abou Najm was also stabbed to death in Sycamore Park while biking home from a university event. He was graduating UC Davis student. The assailant was described as a you a young man with curly hair who had a thin build, according to a neighbor.
In a third incident, a woman in her 60s was attacked in a downtown homeless encampment. The attacker slashed her tent and repeatedly stabbed her before fleeing when she screamed. The woman is currently recovering after surgery at UC Davis Medical Center.
Police detained Dominguez after spotting him walking through the park near the scene of Najm’s murder, wearing clothing matching the description given by witnesses. They found a large hunting-style knife inside of his backpack, believed to be the weapon used in the attack on Breaux.
Dominguez’s family members were present during his arraignment but declined to speak with reporters. His father, however, expressed shock over the arrest in an interview. He described his son as an accomplished student and athlete at Castlemont High School in Oakland. He also mentioned being unaware of his son’s academic struggles at UC Davis.
Originally from El Salvador, Dominguez entered the United States in 2009 as an unaccompanied minor. His immigration case was closed administratively in 2012. This week, authorities placed a detainer on him to take custody should he be released from local custody.