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2 dead, several injured in San Jose church stabbing; suspect in custody

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Two people were killed and at least three others were seriously wounded during a stabbing spree Sunday night at a California church, where homeless people had been welcomed inside to escape the cold.

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San Jose police responded just before 9 p.m. to Grace Baptist Church near the San Jose State University campus and stated via Twitter at 9:30 p.m.: “We can confirm we have multiple stabbing victims; some with life threatening injuries.”

San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo confirmed that at least two of the victims had died, KPIX reported.

According to a news release issued by the San Jose Police Department, an adult male victim was declared dead at the scene, and a second adult female victim was transported to an area hospital where she later died. Three other adult males were transported to area hospitals and are listed in serious but stable condition and are expected to recover.

Police have detained one adult male suspect, but both the motive and circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation.

None of the victims had been identified publicly as of Monday night.

Shaunn Cartwright, who volunteers with the San Jose homeless community and had left the church Sunday evening before the stabbing occurred, told The Mercury News the suspect in custody was one of the homeless people who frequented the church’s homeless shelter services.

Although Cartwright declined to identify the suspect, she did tell the newspaper that the man did not have a reputation for violence.

Luann Roberts, a pastor at the church, told The Mercury News that she is uncertain if the Grace Solutions program to house the homeless at night would continue after the stabbing.