Berkeley police investigate attempted murder case
The suspect poured gasoline on the victim and attempted to set him on fire, police said.
Berkeley police are investigating a domestic violence stabbing over the weekend that sent a man in his 50s to the hospital, authorities report.
The incident took place Sunday on the east side of the railroad tracks near Heinz Avenue between 7-9 a.m., Berkeley police said in response to a Scanner inquiry.
BPD said the incident began as an argument inside a tent between two men in a dating relationship.
"During the encounter, the suspect punched the victim … and used a kitchen knife to stab or slice the victim in the arm and abdomen," authorities said.
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According to court papers, the suspect punched the victim "approximately 50 times in the head/face area" and threatened to kill him.
The suspect told the victim "he was going to kill him when the next loud train passed by" so no one could hear him scream for help, according to court papers.
He also struck the victim with a shovel, threw objects at him and demanded his phone, wallet and jewelry, according to Berkeley police.
While they were still inside the tent, the suspect poured gasoline on the victim and attempted to set him on fire, according to BPD.
The victim repeatedly screamed for help as the attack was happening, police said.
The victim was able to escape when a passer-by intervened. He got to the hospital with a friend's help, police wrote in court papers.
The case remains under investigation, police said.
