SALIDA – Authorities arrested a 31 year old man on attempted murder charges after a stabbing that took place Sunday afternoon.
At about 4:13pm authorities received a 911 call for help from a woman stating she had just been stabbed by her boyfriend. The incident happened in a parking lot on the 5300 block of Pirrone Road.
The victim was able to provide authorities with the name of a suspect, who authorities identified as Anthony Kulp of French Camp. They were also provided with a description of a vehicle in which he fled the area in.
The victim was rushed to the hospital with life threatening injuries and underwent emergency surgery to save her life. Detectives responded and began to process the crime scene. Evidence, including a suspected weapon was collected at the scene.
The investigation led detectives to Manteca where they were able to interview a relative of Kulp and determine his location. Kulp was later located in a Walmart parking lot in north Stockton on Trinity Parkway, where police attempted to take him into custody.
Kulp refused to comply with police and did not exit his vehicle as ordered. A section of the parking lot was closed off as a standoff ensued with Stockton Police Officers and hostage negotiators. Authorities tried to reason with Kulp, who later agreed to surrender. He was arrested and taken back to Stanislaus County to be interviewed, and later booked into the Public Safety Center for attempted murder.
Authorities in a press release said Kulp was in custody just one day prior to the stabbing for a felony vandalism case from December 18th. Patrol deputies were called to the same victim’s home twice before where windows to a home and vehicle were smashed.
The press release went on to say Kulp was arrested on the 19th, however he was granted a zero-bail emergency release the same day due to the California Judicial Council’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This is yet another example of an offender who should have been in custody and instead was set free to commit this violent act due to the zero bail policies,” a statement from Stanislaus County Sheriff Jeff Dirkse read in part. The statement continued on explaining that at the minimum Kulp should have been required to post bail before being released.
Authorities said the investigation is ongoing, and encourage anyone with information regarding this case to contact Detective Fisher at (209) 525-7083.
STOCKTON – Authorities investigated a fatal shooting late Saturday morning in a South Stockton neighborhood.
Shortly before noon, officers responded to the area of Anne and Tenth Streets for a report of a person shot. Arriving officers found a 40 year old man who had been shot. Medical personnel pronounced the victim deceased.
Detectives took over the investigation, and no suspect information was available Saturday.
Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to contact Police at (209) 937-8377 or Crime Stoppers at (209) 946-0600 where callers can remain anonymous.
STANISLAUS COUNTY – An investigation conducted by the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office closed down Highway 33 just outside the City of Newman Friday night.
Highway 33 between Stuhr and Anderson Roads was closed due to a large law enforcement presence. Early reports indicate a pursuit involving an armed suspect with shots fired, however no details have been released by officials.
Several witnesses in the area said they saw several law enforcement vehicles speeding up the highway with lights and sirens, followed by several booms from a nearby orchard.
Several agencies were on scene including Newman and Ceres Police Departments, California Highway Patrol and Merced County Sheriff’s Office. Some officials stated they came from as far as Los Banos due to the severity of the situation.
One ambulance was seen leaving the scene with lights and siren, presumably with the involved suspect.
Further details will be released as they are made available.
MODESTO – A man shot and killed an eight year old girl before turning the gun on himself Wednesday evening, according to officials with the Modesto Police Department.
Shortly before 7:00pm, officers were dispatched to a home on the 3700 block of Havenhurst Court for a report of a suicidal person. Arriving officers saw the person through the window of the home armed with a gun. After officers attempted to communicate, the person told officers he was going to come out of the home unarmed.
Before the man exited, officers heard gunfire from inside the residence. Additional officers and deputies with the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office responded to assist. When police entered the home they found 50 year old Donovan Halstead suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Halstead’s eight year old daughter was also found shot in the home. Emergency responders tried to save her life, but she died from her injuries.
Halstead was taken to a hospital but was not expected to survive.
Officials with the Violent Crimes Unit responded to take over the investigation.