This browser does not support the Video element.
Oakland stabbing suspect had prior attacks, parole violations
Jose Jesus Rodriguez, accused in Oakland’s Fruitvale stabbing spree, had a prior stabbing conviction, mental health concerns and parole violations, court records show.
OAKLAND, Calif. - The man arrested in a series of random stabbings in Oakland’s Fruitvale neighborhood has been identified.
The suspect is Jose Jesus Rodriguez, 34.
Rodriguez, who is unhoused, has a lengthy criminal history, according to court records. The records also indicate he has mental health issues and was sent to prison following a previous stabbing spree in 2019.
He now faces murder and assault charges in the fatal stabbing of Gonzalo Lopez, 58, at Cesar Chavez Park, as well as other attacks that injured four people Monday night.
"That was very, very scary," Oakland resident Moe Hassan said near the site of two of the stabbings. "We need to get a hold on it. Mental health is very strong in Oakland, and it’s like more and more every day."
Suspect in Oakland stabbings is homeless, as are some victims, police say
A man suspected in an apparently random series of stabbings that left one victim dead and four others hurt in Oakland's Fruitvale neighborhood is homeless, as are some of his victims, police said Tuesday.
Questions over parole supervision and mental health
What they're saying:
Legal analyst Steven Clark said authorities should review Rodriguez’s mental health history and parole supervision.
Clark said questions will likely be raised about whether more could have been done before the deadly stabbing.
"It’s understandable why the community may feel that the pendulum has swung too far in favor of the defendant instead of public safety when you see a case like this," Clark said.
Oakland police said that after the fatal stabbing, Rodriguez stabbed an unhoused man at a gas station near 38th Avenue and San Leandro Street; a man riding on the back of a scooter near 39th Avenue and International Boulevard; a woman near the same intersection after she tried to escape by walking into the street; and another victim at the Fruitvale BART station.
This browser does not support the Video element.
Surveillance video shows random Oakland stabbing attacks; 1 killed, 4 injured
New surveillance video shows two victims being attacked during a series of Oakland stabbings that left one man dead and four others injured Monday evening.
Previous stabbing spree led to prison
The backstory:
In 2019, police said Rodriguez stabbed an Uber driver and a garbage collector, leading to his imprisonment. He was released on supervised parole in 2023 but failed to find work and racked up at least six parole violations, court records show.
Authorities said Rodriguez once headbutted an Oakland police officer and tried to bite off the officer’s ear. Court records also state that he swung a wooden board at two people "like an axe."
In a report last year, a parole agent wrote: "There are no programs to appropriately address Rodriguez’s escalating behavior. Rodriguez’s recent behavior poses a significant threat to the community."
KTVU contacted the parole agent, who said he was unaware of the latest stabbing spree and ended the call after being asked about Rodriguez.
Israel Ramos, who works at a barbershop near 39th Avenue and International Boulevard, said he was also troubled by the apparent randomness of the attacks.
"It can happen at any time, any moment in Oakland," Ramos said. "You just don’t know what can happen. I feel sorry for the family."
Henry Lee is a KTVU crime reporter. E-mail Henry at Henry.Lee@fox.com and follow him on X @henrykleeKTVU and www.facebook.com/henrykleefan
The Source: KTVU reporting, Alameda County court records