A grisly attack shook Santa Rosa early Monday when a man was stabbed in the head with a machete during a heated exchange. According to the Santa Rosa Police Department (SRPD) Official Facebook Page, the incident occurred on the 2700 block of Santa Rosa Avenue, where the 34-year-old victim, who is a local resident, was discovered alone and wounded in a parking lot.
The victim, who has not been identified, was sitting on a bench when the altercation culminated in the brutal attack. Reports state that the police were alerted at 12:31 a.m, and upon arrival, they provided aid to a man with a severe stab wound to the head. The assailant had already fled the scene and remained at large for nearly 24 hours.
SRPD's Violent Crimes Investigation Team took the lead on the case. In a relentless pursuit to catch the attacker, they sifted through scarce leads until they pinpointed 20-year-old Lucas Coleman as the main suspect. Identified as a homeless individual frequenting Santa Rosa, Coleman was unfamiliar with the victim prior to the dispute, as mentioned by the SRPD on their official release.
Authorities eventually located Coleman on Tuesday afternoon, strolling along Santa Rosa Avenue, close to East Robles Avenue. In a carefully orchestrated apprehension, Coleman was taken into custody without incident by officers and the Downtown Enforcement Team. During a subsequent search, the machete believed to be used in the attack was found near the area.
Coleman faces severe legal consequences, with charges including attempted murder and an outstanding misdemeanor bench warrant. Details from SRPD highlight the ongoing investigation and their appeal to the public for any further information. Witnesses or individuals with knowledge of the event are urged to step forward and contact police through their online tip line.
While detectives continue to piece together the motive and circumstances that led to this violent encounter, the victim, who was admitted to a local hospital, received treatment and has since been released. The community remains on edge as they wait for answers in a case that has left a chilling mark on the quiet of Santa Rosa Avenue.
