Two men were arrested on suspicion of stabbing another man near San Lorenzo Park in Santa Cruz early this morning, police said.
Around 2:30 a.m. Santa Cruz police officers responded to a hospital emergency room where a victim, identified as a 28-year-old Hayward man, had arrived suffering from a stab wound and was undergoing surgery, police said.
Witnesses to the stabbing were located and told police where the stabbing had occurred and what led up to it.
According to witnesses, the victim was walking through San Lorenzo Park near Dakota Avenue when three suspects confronted him, police said.
Witnesses told police that the suspects questioned the victim about the red flannel shirt he was wearing and asked him if he was affiliated with any street gangs.
The victim denied any gang affiliations, but the suspects proceeded to assault and stab him, police said.
Officers searched the area surrounding the crime scene and contacted two Santa Cruz men who were identified by witnesses as being involved in the assault, police said.
Officers arrested 23-year-old Alex Reyes for allegedly stabbing the victim and 30-year-old Juan Cruz for allegedly being involved in the assault of the victim.
The two men were arrested for assault with a deadly weapon and booked into jail. Police have not yet released information about the third suspect.
The victim underwent surgery and is listed in stable condition today, police said.
Anyone with information about the crime is encouraged to contact police at (831) 420-5856 or may do so anonymously at (831) 420-5995.
--Bay City News
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