A man was fatally stabbed on Tuesday in San Rafael's Canal neighborhood, marking the city's first homicide of the year and leaving residents shaken as officers combed the streets for clues.
The attack was reported at about 8:30 PM near the corner of Mill and Hoag streets, where officers found an unresponsive man suffering from stab wounds to his chest, San Rafael police Lt. Scott Eberle told reporters. Firefighters rushed him to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead, according to the Marin Independent Journal.
Police investigating; motive unclear
Investigators are still searching for the assailant and had not released any description of a suspect as of Wednesday, police said. Marin County Chief Deputy Coroner Roger Fielding said his office has identified the victim but is withholding the name until next of kin can be notified.
Lt. Eberle described the incident as an altercation and told the Marin Independent Journal, "We don't know if it's gang-related or not." For now, the unanswered questions are only adding to the tension in the neighborhood.
Canal neighborhood context
Residents say the Canal has already been hit hard by multiple emergencies this year, stretching neighbors and local organizations alike. A major apartment fire in the Canal that displaced dozens of people, reported by SFGATE, highlighted just how much recovery work is still underway in the area.
San Rafael police are urging anyone with information about the stabbing to call the department at (415) 485-3000 or leave an anonymous tip using the department's online form. More details, along with the tip form, are available on the San Rafael Police Department website.
