James Tran in his booking photo, and another image released by Sacramento Police
SACRAMENTO—The man thought to be responsible for stabbing hometown hero Spencer Stone in early October has been arrested.
On November 4th, the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office issued an arrest warrant and charged James Tran, 28, with attempted murder. Tran was arrested without incident in Elk Grove by Sacramento Police detectives at 7 am. According to police, the suspect has a previous felony arrest and has gang affiliations.
“Our detectives, who have been doing surveillance at (Tran’s) particular residence, effected a traffic stop on him in the area of Highway 99 and Bond Road (in Elk Grove) and then arrested him for the charge of attempt murder on Mr. Stone,” said Police Chief Samuel Somers Jr.
Stone was stabbed four times during a fight at 12:45 a.m. on October 8 at 21st and K Streets in midtown Sacramento. He was rushed to UC Davis Medical Center, where he underwent surgery for life-threatening injuries. Stone suffered a punctured heart, liver and lung, and later had open-heart surgery. He spent about a week in the hospital.
Stone and two childhood friends, Anthony Sadler and Alex Skarlatos, became instant celebrities in August when they tackled and disarmed a gunman on a French train. The three were awarded France’s Legion of Honor and met with President Barack Obama at the White House in September.
Investigators arrested Tran near his home in this neighborhood.
Somers said detectives had spent time building a case against Tran before arresting him. Following his arrest Wednesday morning, they executed a search warrant on a tan one-story stucco house in the 7800 block of Dersingham Drive, in the unincorporated Vintage Park area near Elk Grove.
Police also impounded a dark-colored Toyota Camry, believed to have been used as a getaway vehicle.
Detectives stated Tran and Stone did not know each other prior to the altercation, and the attack had nothing to do with the European terror plot thwarted by Stone and the others.
Tran is being held at Sacramento County Main Jail and is scheduled to appear in Sacramento Superior Court on Friday. He is ineligible for bail due to the seriousness of the alleged crime.
According to court records, Tran has a prior criminal record. In 2008 he pleaded no contest to possession of a controlled substance for sale. At that time prosecutors asked the court to dismiss six other felony drug and weapons charges against him, including possession of a concealed weapon and possession of a loaded firearm. He was sentenced to a year on work furlough and five years’ probation.
MaryAnn DePietro contributed to this report
