A neighborhood in unincorporated San Jose breathed a sigh of relief late Wednesday when the Santa Clara County Sheriff announced that officers had detained a person of interest, Reuben Ramirez, in connection with a triple stabbing there.
An adult female and a toddler were killed and another child was hurt sometime Wednesday afternoon.
Investigators said the woman's husband came home and found his wife, his niece and his nephew had been attacked. He called 911.
When officers arrived they found a 40-year-old woman and a 1-year-old boy stabbed to death. A 3-year-old girl also suffered stab wounds, but was alive and taken to a nearby hospital. She was listed in stable condition and was expected to survive.
The house is on Viewmont Avenue near Alum Rock Road.
A man who identified himself as the brother of the man who found the victims told NBC Bay Area his brother came home Wednesday to find his wife and the two children had been stabbed. He said his brother first called 911 and then called him.
Officers did a yard to yard search but came up empty. The arrest of the person of interest happened in San Francisco, according to the sheriff.
There were no details of what led up to the attacks. Police released a photo (below) of Ramirez, who they say lived at the home. Police said he has a history of mental illness.
They did not call Ramirez a suspect, but said they wanted to talk to him.
There were more than 50 officers searching the area. K9s were also part of the search.
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The Santa Clara Sheriff’s Office said there was not a shelter in place but were asking people to stay inside Wednesday evening.
Deputy Kurtis Stenderup Stenderup said that the sheriff's office has responded to calls about Ramirez at the home before.
A pastor connected to the family told NBC Bay Area that Ramirez is the son of the woman who was killed. He was in custody late Wednesday.
