A Fourth of July celebration in Huntington Beach, California, turned tragic when a violent stabbing incident left two people dead and three others injured. The Huntington Beach Police Department responded to a call around 11:15 p.m. on Thursday, reporting an assault with a deadly weapon near 16th Street and Pecan Avenue. Upon arrival, officers discovered several victims suffering from significant injuries.
The Huntington Beach Fire Department confirmed that two individuals were pronounced dead at the scene, while three others were transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The names of the victims have not been released, and the incident remains under investigation. On Friday morning, police reported that one person had been taken into custody.
The neighborhood where the stabbing occurred is a residential area in Old Town Huntington Beach, just a few blocks from the coastline where the city had hosted its Independence Day celebration, “Fireworks over the Ocean.” The event had drawn large crowds to the beach earlier in the evening.
Witnesses described a chaotic scene. Deandre Adams, a friend of one of the victims, recounted that they had been enjoying the fireworks and were considering heading to the Huntington Beach Pier but decided to stay in the neighborhood. Around 11 p.m., Adams heard a woman screaming outside. When he went to investigate, he saw a man jump out of a car with a knife and begin attacking people on the sidewalk.
Adams said that two bystanders managed to tackle the attacker, but not before he had inflicted fatal injuries on several individuals, including Adams’ friend, who was due to get married in September. The victims died near their homes, and the suspect was arrested shortly after the police arrived. Adams noted that the woman who drove the car to the scene appeared shocked and was also handcuffed by the police.
The Huntington Beach Police Department has not released any information about the victims or the suspect. However, city spokeswoman Jennifer Carey confirmed that a 26-year-old Huntington Beach resident named Logan Kelley was arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. Carey also mentioned that detectives are investigating whether there was any known relationship between the suspect and the victims.
The police have assured the public that there is no further threat to public safety related to this incident. The major crimes unit is leading the investigation, and authorities are still trying to piece together the events that led to the stabbing.
This tragic incident in Huntington Beach was not the only instance of violence during Fourth of July celebrations across the United States. In New York City, three people were killed, and several others were injured when a speeding pickup truck ran through an intersection and plowed into a crowd at Corlears Hook Park in Manhattan’s Lower East Side neighborhood. The driver has been identified and taken into custody.
Back in Huntington Beach, the community is grappling with the aftermath of the stabbing. Adams described the atmosphere as terrifying, especially for the fiancée of his deceased friend. “The men who died were laughing before all of this happened, just trying to enjoy this time together,” he said.
The Huntington Beach Police Department continues to investigate the motive behind the stabbing. As of now, one person remains in custody, but it is unclear if they are the primary suspect. The police believe the stabbings were an isolated event and are working diligently to uncover more details.
The incident has left a somber mark on what was supposed to be a joyous celebration of Independence Day. The community is mourning the loss of two lives and hoping for the recovery of the injured. As the investigation unfolds, residents are left to reflect on the fragility of life and the unexpected turns that can alter it in an instant.
Source: USA TODAY, FOX11, KABC, KTLA
