GILROY—A street fight near Las Animas Park in Gilroy turned bloody Tuesday night when one man stabbed another man in the face, police said.
Jose Luis Lara Jr., 24, was arrested on charges of assault with a deadly weapon, according to Gilroy police.
Officers went to the 300 block of Mantelli Drive after several calls came in about a fight in progress, Gilroy Police Department Sgt. Royce Heath said. When the first officer arrived shortly after 9:58 p.m. May 26, the men were engaged in fisticuffs.
One combatant, a Gilroy man, 21, had a stab wound to the face inflicted by Lara, Heath said. Police did not release the victim’s name.
Officers ordered the men to stop fighting and lay down on the ground; they complied without incident, he added.
Police believe Lara attacked his victim before stabbing him, but the younger man was able to defend himself with punches to Lara’s face until police arrived, according to Heath.
The men were treated for injuries by first responders. The stab victim was taken by ambulance to a hospital where he was treated for the face and other injuries and was released, police said.
Police believe the men knew each other but do not believe the incident was gang related, Health said. The motive for the attack was not immediately known.
Anyone with information is asked to call GPD investigators at (408) 846-0350.
