The Sacramento County Sheriff's Office has reported an arrest in the brutal stabbing of a homeless man which occurred on August 4, 2024, near El Camino Avenue and Howe Avenue. According to the official Facebook post by the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office, the first victim, a man in his 60s, managed to call 911 at approximately 4 AM, despite suffering from a stab wound to the face. Deputies responded to the call and found him alongside a second victim, an unresponsive male in his 30s, also with a similar wound.
While first responders were able to perform life-saving measures on the scene, the second victim, discovered lying on the ground, sadly did not survive and died at the hospital two days later. Resuscitated initially by deputies, he eventually succumbed to his injuries, the Sheriff's Communications Center reported. The Sheriff’s Crimes Against Persons Bureau and Crime Scene Investigators were quick to get involved, interviewing witnesses and collecting evidence. It was as a result of these efforts that the suspect, Kyrie Woods-Richardson, was identified and linked to the crimes.
Woods-Richardson, who had been released from prison and was on parole, was also previously recognized as a gang member. After an intensive investigation, Sheriff's Homicide Detectives were able to determine that the same suspect was responsible for both stabbings. They gathered enough evidence and information to arrest the suspect, and Woods-Richardson was located and arrested without incident in the Sacramento area the previous evening.
He has since been incarcerated at the Sacramento County Main Jail, facing charges for murder and being held without bail. The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office stated, "He is scheduled to appear in court on August 12." The initial victim, the older man, is expected to make a recovery though having been attacked with a knife and left for dead near a busy avenue. This stark dichotomy of outcomes, as gleaned from the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office's announcements, paints a grim portrait of violence and fleeting salvation on Sacramento's streets.
The community's reaction to the incident has been one of shock and concern, highlighting the vulnerability of the homeless population in the city. As the legal process moves forward, advocates for homeless individuals call for greater protective measures and support networks to prevent such tragedies in the future. Meanwhile, the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office continues to work closely with local organizations to address the underlying issues contributing to such acts of violence.
