Stabbing victim runs into strangers’ house, dies

CHULA VISTA — Chula Vista police homicide detectives are investigating a stabbing death Tuesday evening at a town home complex in Eastlake.

Police got a 911 call about 5:45 p.m. about a fight in progress at a residence on Cielo Circulo, near Olympic Parkway, police Capt. Vern Sallee said.

As officers were heading there, witnesses reported that a man was stabbing another man, and that the victim was being chased by the suspect through the CasaLago complex and was screaming for help.

The victim ran several hundred yards and into the unlocked door of another unit and collapsed on the kitchen floor, Sallee said. He did not know the occupants of the unit, who called 911.

Officers and paramedics found the victim on the floor with multiple stab wounds, and he died before he could be transported to a hospital.

The suspect fled and was found by police about a quarter-mile away. He refused commands to comply with police orders, Sallee said. An officer nearby with a police canine arrived, and the dog was released, biting the suspect once on the right thigh.

The suspect had cuts on his hands and they were covered in blood, the captain said. He was taken into custody and transported to a hospital.

Both the suspect and victim are believed to be about 19 to 20 years old, the captain said. Their relationship was not yet known, along with what led to the stabbing.

It appeared to have been a “violent struggle” with the victim “pleading for his life” and the suspect “relentless” in his pursuit, the captain said.