FOOTHILL FARMS, Calif. (PSN)— A Sacramento County sheriff's deputy fatally shot a knife-wielding suspect Wednesday morning after the man allegedly attacked two women during a violent, random stabbing in a residential garage in the Foothill Farms area, according to the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office.
The incident began at approximately 6:30 a.m. when the Sheriff's Communications Center received reports of a disturbance involving a transient man armed with a kitchen knife at the Starbucks located at Elkhorn Boulevard and Diablo Drive.
According to investigators, Starbucks employees reported the suspect had gone behind the service counter while armed with the knife. Employees sheltered in a back room while waiting for deputies to arrive. By the time deputies reached the business, the suspect had already fled the area.
A short time later, a deputy spotted a man matching the suspect's description walking on Diablo Drive. As the deputy attempted to close the distance, the suspect ran across the street and into an open residential garage in the 5700 block of Diablo Drive.
Inside the garage, investigators said the suspect immediately attacked a 63-year-old woman who was getting into her vehicle, repeatedly stabbing and cutting her.
The victim's 26-year-old daughter heard her mother's screams and rushed to help, pushing the suspect away and preventing further injuries to her mother. Authorities said the suspect then turned his attack toward the daughter, stabbing and cutting her numerous times.
The deputy, who witnessed the attack unfold within seconds, drove into the driveway and, as the suspect continued stabbing the daughter, fired his service weapon, striking the suspect.
Additional deputies quickly arrived and began providing life-saving measures to the suspect and both victims. Fire personnel later pronounced the suspect dead at the scene.
Both women were transported to a local hospital, where they were reported to be in serious but stable condition.
Investigators said the victims appear to have been randomly targeted and had no known connection to the suspect.
No deputies were injured during the incident.
The Sacramento County Coroner's Office will release the identity of the deceased suspect after notification procedures are completed.
As is standard protocol, the Sheriff's Homicide Bureau and Professional Standards Division are investigating the officer-involved shooting. The Sacramento County District Attorney's Office will conduct an independent review. The deputy involved has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.