SLC man arrested for two ‘random’ stabbing attacks
Sep 18, 2022, 6:55 PM | Updated: Nov 18, 2022, 10:41 pm
SLC PD at the scene of the stabbing on 300 South 500 West Saturday.
SALT LAKE CITY — A 31-year-old homeless man is facing felony charges for two stabbings in Salt Lake City Saturday evening.
The man was identified as 31-year-old Mario Fresques.
According to Salt lake City Police Department, the first investigation started at 8:16 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 11, when they received a call about someone being stabbed near 550 West 300 South.
Responding officers found a 38-year-old woman with a non-life-threatening stab wound.
Firefighters with the Salt Lake City Fire Department responded and a Gold Cross Ambulance took the woman to the hospital. Doctors have since released her.
The second incident occurred Saturday, when Fresques, allegedly stabbed a 41-year-old man multiple times on 300 South 500 West just after 5 p.m.
A witness told police that the victim was sitting on a bench when Fresques came up behind him and stabbed him in the neck for no reason. The victim tried to fight back but was stabbed again.
“As officers were arresting Fresques, he spontaneously stated that he could not be arrested because police had not recovered the knife and that officers would never find the knife,” according to arrest documents. The documents do not state if police found the knife or not.
The male victim was transported to the hospital for surgery. Their current status is unknown.
Fresques fit the description of a suspect who stabbed a woman on Sept. 11 nearby 300 South 500 West.
The female victim identified Fresques as the suspect who stabbed her from a photo line-up.
Fresques was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for two counts of aggravated assault resulting in serious bodily injury.
Police asked for no bail since Fresques is currently on felony probation, homeless, and is repeatedly attacking other homeless people in the area who were hesitant to talk to police because of his actions.
“Our detectives are working around the clock on this case to see if we can establish a motive,” Chief Mike Brown said. “Right now, it appears these attacks are random, targeting members of our homeless community. The suspect himself is homeless. We know the people who are experiencing homelessness can be victimized at disproportional rates to others. Our department is committed to helping to ensure the safety of everyone in our community. I appreciate the work of our officers and detectives who have arrested this suspect.”
