San Jose

Police Identify Suspect in South Bay Deadly Crime Spree, Say Attacks Were Random

Three people were killed and several others were injured in attacks that spanned San Jose and Milpitas

Scroll down to view surveillance video

NBC Universal, Inc.

A 31-year-old man has been identified as the suspect in a violent crime spree that left three dead and three others hurt in the South Bay, police said.

The suspect, identified as Kevin Parkourana, was arrested in connection to Thursday's carjacking and stabbings in San Jose and Milpitas.

San Jose police Chief Anthony Mata in a news briefing Friday afternoon said the crime spree were random, senseless attacks. Parkourana is being held in Santa Clara County jail and is charged with multiple counts of homicide, attempted homicide and carjacking, the chief said. Mata also said Parkourana was on active probation when he was arrested.

Police on Friday also said they still do not have a motive.

San Jose and Milpitas police discuss a violent crime spree that left three dead and three others injured.

Suspect in crime spree has extensive criminal history

Court documents show Parkourana has been convicted of felony vandalism, felony possession of a dagger, and for being in possession of an explosive device - a pipe bomb. He also has spent time in mental court, according to the documents.

"We're part of the system. We have to see where the system failed this individual," Mata said.

Parkourana lives in a duplex on Kooser Road in San Jose. No one answered the door when an NBC Bay Area crew knocked on Friday.

Neighbors tell NBC Bay Area a SWAT team swarmed Parkourana's home in South San Jose on Thursday.

Neighbor Tristan Estes said it is heartbreaking to hear of Parkourana's reported arrest after the suspected attacks because it was no secret he was known to be unstable.

The deadly South Bay crime spree has many asking questions about why the suspect was a free man after numerous run-ins with the law involving violent behavior and a record of mental health issues. Thom Jensen reports.

Timeline of attacks in deadly South Bay crime spree

The attacks began shortly after 3 p.m. Thursday in San Jose.

Police said Parkourana first carjacked and stabbed a victim near his home on Kooser Road. He was then responsible for another stabbing and attempted carjacking in a parking lot near Hillsdale Avenue, police said.

Another stabbing was reported minutes later on 10th and Santa Clara streets. Then blocks away at 16th and Santa Clara streets, police said Parkourana intentionally ran down an elderly couple. The couple died from their injuries.

Parkourana is then accused of hitting a person on a scooter with a vehicle in the same area. He then traveled to Milpitas, where he fatally stabbed one more person in a Smart & Final parking lot before finally being arrested by Milpitas police.

NBC Bay Area's Audrey Asistio breaks down each attack in the deadly South Bay crime spree.

Exclusive surveillance video of suspect in South Bay crime spree

Victims killed in the attack at the 16th and Santa Clara streets location have been identified by their son as Phuc Pham and Nguyen Pham, who were both in their 70s.

The son told NBC Bay Area his parents were painting their house and were looking at the work being done when the suspect intentionally ran them down.

Surveillance video obtained by NBC Bay Area's Investigative Unit appears to show suspect in Thursday's violent crime spree that left three dead and three others hurt in the South Bay.

Surveillance video obtained by NBC Bay Area's Investigative Unit shows the suspect drive up onto the curb and onto the Pham's property - then you hear the suspect hit the gas.

It is not seen in the video, but NBC Bay Area is told the suspect hit the couple and the circled around and hit the husband a second time before driving off.

Both Phuc and Nguyen died from their injuries. Their son, who did not want to be identified, said he wants people to know this was no accident.

Meanwhile, the surviving victims were stabilized overnight, a source close to the investigation told NBC Bay Area.

San Jose mayor releases statement regarding crime spree

San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan released a statement on Twitter Thursday night:

"I am sickened by the senseless violence that took place in our city tonight. There are no words that can convey how sorry I am to the victims’ loved ones whose lives have been forever altered. San Jose mourns with you."

"Thank you to the brave officers of San Jose Police Department and Milpitas Police Department who acted with urgency to prevent further catastrophe. Over the coming days, law enforcement will follow every lead to understand how this happened. I have been informed there is no ongoing threat at this time and further details will be shared by our department in the days ahead."

NBC Bay Area’s Raj Mathai spoke to Damian Trujillo and retired judge LaDoris Cordell about the suspect arrested for the South Bay crime spree that left three dead and others injured Thursday.
Contact Us