SAN RAFAEL — A woman and her daughter were attacked with an axe, and her roommate is in custody. The suspect is being held without bail for attempted murder and other felonies.
On April 19 at 10:23 p.m., police responded to a reported assault on the 500 block of Canal Street. Upon arrival, officers located a 46-year-old woman and her 12- year-old daughter wounded inside an apartment.
Both victims suffered severe lacerations, and the mother told police her roommate attacked them. The suspect identified as 63-year-old Ermidio Epifanio Diaz was at the residence. Diaz who works as a gardener was taken into custody without further incident.
The woman’s upper torso was bleeding profusely. Parts of her fingers were chopped off when she attempted to shield herself and her daughter. She was transported to Marin General Hospital for medical treatment.
The girl suffered major lacerations to her right eye, her nose, one arm and lower abdomen. She was airlifted to Oakland Children’s Hospital for medical treatment and surgery.
Diaz was booked into Marin County Jail on open charges. Diaz faces charges for attempted murder and four more felonies.
His other charges include assault with a deadly weapon causing great bodily injury, and battery with serious bodily injury. In addition, he faces charges for child cruelty causing injury and for mayhem.
This investigation remains open. Anyone with information can call the San Rafael Police Department at 415-485-3000. Tips can be submitted online to SRPD.org/tips.
