A man who allegedly broke into a Del Cerro home, fatally stabbed a 74-year-old resident, wounded a 50-year-old houseguest and sexually assaulted at least one of the two women, is scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday at the downtown courthouse.
Eduardo Torres, 20, was arrested on suspicion of murder, sexual assault and burglary after police officers made entry into the home on Mill Peak Road near Adobe Falls Road, San Diego Police Lt. Manny Del Toro said.
A neighbor called police around 11:40 p.m. Sunday to report that someone had attempted to break into her nearby residence but had been scared off. Shortly afterward, Torres broke a window at the 74-year-old victim’s home and climbed inside, the lieutenant alleged.
The initial caller went to the victim’s home in an attempt to warn the occupants, but it was too late. Del Toro said one of the occupants told the neighbor a male intruder with a knife was already inside.
Upon entering the home, the officers could hear someone in distress and heard the suspect say he was armed with a gun and a knife and he intended to kill the two women, according to the lieutenant.
Del Toro said Torres surrendered immediately and dropped a knife when confronted by officers. A 10-inch hunting-type knife was recovered, but a gun was not located.
The two victims were taken to a hospital, where the older woman died shortly before 2 a.m.
The surviving victim, a Chicago woman, was sexually assaulted and suffered cuts to her upper body, Del Toro said. Forensic tests will be done to determine if the older woman had also been sexually assaulted, he said.
A 56-year-old man who lives at the home was locked outside during the women’s ordeal, according to police.
A motive for the crimes was unclear, and Del Toro said the suspect was unknown to the victims.
— City News Service
