Police are still investigating a late-night fight that sent two
men to the hospital – one with life-threatening injuries – over the
weekend.
Police are still investigating a late-night fight that sent two men to the hospital – one with life-threatening injuries – over the weekend.
Police responded to a stabbing near the intersection of Monterey and Second streets about 2 a.m. Sunday, Morgan Hill Police Sgt. Jerry Neumayer said. When officers arrived, they found Philip Ruiz, 27 of Morgan Hill, with a large stab wound on his neck. Nearby they also found a second victim, Daniel Laeno, 35 of San Jose, laying unconscious on Second Street, Neumayer said.
Officers determined both men were injured in a fight involving several subjects. Police think most of the fighters had been drinking at M & H Tavern, and began fighting after they left the bar, Neumayer said. Some of the people involved in the fight came from across the street, near the front of Dirty’s Tap and Tacos.
Paramedics responded and brought Ruiz to San Jose Regional Hospital with life-threatening wounds. Neumayer said his knife wound was within centimeters of a major artery. He was expected to be released from the hospital by Wednesday.
Laeno was treated at Saint Louise Regional Hospital with blunt trauma to his face. He was released later Sunday night.
Police do not know if the fight was gang-related, and have not arrested any suspects. “Quite a few witnesses” saw the fight, but some are not being cooperative, Neumayer said.
The fight started as a verbal altercation and escalated to violence, according to police. The remaining involved suspects fled the area on foot towards the rear parking lot of Just Breakfast before police arrived.
Anyone with more information on the incident may call Detective Brandon Richards at the Morgan Hill Police Department, at (408) 779-2101, or the anonymous tip line at (408) 947-7867.
