Former UC Davis student, 21, arrested in deadly stabbings: Police

A former UC Davis student has been arrested in connection with three stabbings -- two of which killed a college senior and a homeless man -- in Davis, California, police announced.

The suspect, 21-year-old Carlos Dominguez, was arrested on Thursday for two counts of homicide and one count of attempted homicide, Davis Police Chief Darren Pytel said at a news conference.

Dominguez entered a plea of not guilty on Friday at his arraignment on the charges. The court denied him bail and he is due back in court for a preliminary hearing Monday.

The suspect was a UC Davis student until two days before the first attack, according to the university.

UC Davis said in a statement that Dominguez "was in his third year at UC Davis until April 25, 2023, when he was separated for academic reasons."

"We are partnering with law enforcement to provide access to any and all information as part of the investigation," the university said. "We are providing support to any students who may have interacted with him. As we learn more and are able to provide updates that do not interfere with the ongoing investigation, we will do so."

Dominguez was identified on Wednesday afternoon when about 15 people called the authorities, reporting seeing someone near Sycamore Park who matched the suspect description, Pytel said.

When the suspect was stopped by patrol officers, he had "physical evidence" on him that "might be part of the investigation," and he appeared to be wearing the same clothing described by witnesses at the third attack, Pytel said. Based on an interview, collected physical evidence and his clothing, he was initially arrested for possessing a large knife, Pytel said.

The "brazen" attacks, which all unfolded within one week, left the UC Davis campus and the surrounding college town on edge.

The first attack was on April 27, when David Breaux, a beloved homeless man who was a staple in Davis for over a decade, was stabbed multiple times and killed in the city's Central Park, according to police. He was found on a park bench where he often slept, police said.

Two days later, UC Davis senior Karim Abou Najm, a 20-year-old computer science major, was stabbed to death at Davis' Sycamore Park, according to the university and police.

Then, on Monday, a woman, Kimberlee Guillory, was stabbed multiple times through her tent at a transient camp, police said. She survived and was listed in critical but stable condition. Police said Thursday that she's recovering.

There's no information that Dominguez knew any of the victims, police said.

The victims fought back, based on physical evidence, the chief said.

Officers on Thursday are searching the Davis home where Dominguez lives, police said in a statement, adding that "significant and related evidence has already been discovered." Authorities are speaking to his roommates, the chief said.

Asked about the suspect's demeanor, the chief described him as "reserved," adding, "he spoke for a long time."

Davis Mayor Will Arnold said at the news conference, "a murderer is off the streets" and can no longer "terrorize" the community.

The chief said Thursday, "I have no doubt that normal life will resume today."