The man accused of stabbing a local prosecutor in broad daylight allegedly attacked him in retaliation for a previous case in which the prosecutor helped send him to prison.
Dustin Crawford, 42, allegedly approached his victim and others while they were outside Courthouse Park in Downtown Fresno shooting a campaign commercial Thursday afternoon.
Crawford stated he recognized the group, according to District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp.
Dustin Crawford, 42, of Fresno, faces charges of attempted murder and attempted murder of a public official after a revenge stabbing of a local prosecutor outside a courthouse.
Crawford then allegedly singled out his victim and stabbed him three times in the back, Smittcamp said.
Deputies assigned to the nearby courthouse raced outside after reports of the attack and rushed to help the local prosecutor, who was identified as a Fresno County employee.
Deputies located Crawford a few blocks away, using a taser to take him into custody, the sheriff’s office said. A weapon was also taken from him.
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A county employee was hospitalized after a stabbing in Courthouse Park in downtown Fresno.
The prosecutor was rushed to the hospital for his injuries and later released.
The prosecutor was rushed to the hospital for his injuries and later released.
Fresno County Sheriff John Zanoni said the victim was simply going about his daily work when he was attacked.
“We are outraged and deeply saddened by this senseless act of violence,” Smittcamp said in a statement. “Our prosecutors come to work every day committed to pursuing justice, standing up for victims and protecting our community. They should be able to do that work without fear of violence.”
Crawford is held in the Fresno County Jail with a bail set at $1 million. Fresno County Sheriffs Office
Crawford faces charges of attempted murder and attempted murder of a public official. He is in Fresno County Jail with a bail set at $1 million.
Crawford also has a lengthy criminal history with prison time served.
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