Witnesses at the scene of a family dispute that turned into what
police are calling an attempted homicide were mostly unfamiliar
with the circumstances that led to the multiple stabbing, but were
surprised to see the violence.
Witnesses at the scene of a family dispute that turned into what police are calling an attempted homicide were mostly unfamiliar with the circumstances that led to the multiple stabbing, but were surprised to see the violence.
Anthony Hernandez, 23 of Morgan Hill, was arrested Thursday night on suspicion of attempted murder after he stabbed his girlfriend’s father seven times in the upper torso, police said. The incident happened about 9:34 p.m. at the Villa Teresa apartment complex, 260 Berry Court. Police responded to multiple 911 calls reporting the incident.
The victim, Matthew Benoit, 36, also of Morgan Hill, was scheduled to be released from the hospital over the weekend, according to Morgan Hill Police Sgt. Jerry Neumayer.
Residents said Hernandez only moved into the apartment complex about two months ago, and did not get to know him well before the incident. Another witness said Hernandez recently served five years in the U.S. Marine Corps.
Hernandez, who lived in one of the apartments with his girlfriend, allegedly stabbed Benoit several times from the stomach to the upper back, Neumayer said. One of the cuts severed an artery that had to be surgically repaired. Paramedics arrived at the scene with police, and transported the victim to San Jose Regional Medical Center.
Police also said that after Hernandez allegedly stabbed Benoit, he went to his car to retrieve a .45-caliber hand gun. He pointed it at the victim who was laying on the ground and said he was going to kill him, but did not shoot him, Neumayer said. He then returned to his car, returned the gun to the trunk of the car, and attempted to flee on foot. He ran into the path of arriving police, who detained him until the victim and other witnesses identified him as the suspected stabber.
Hernandez and the victim knew each other prior to the incident, and police think they were arguing about the suspect’s relationship with his girlfriend before the stabbing, Neumayer said.
One resident of the apartments said about “10 cops” arrived at the address shortly after he called 911. The resident, who only identified himself as Fred, said he went outside to smoke a cigarette and saw the victim laying down in the grassy court surrounded by two-story apartment buildings.
He said Hernandez, who he did not recognize, was walking back and forth around the victim while holding a gun, but he didn’t hear him directly threaten him.
“(Hernandez) said, ‘Let me see you,'” to the victim, Fred said. “I saw a gun in his hand, but I didn’t know if he had knowledge of medicine. Maybe he was concerned about him. It’s hard to tell who had what intention.”
Another resident, Jeff, called police after he walked outside and saw the suspect holding a gun. He said he was inside playing video games, and his girlfriend told him she heard some commotion outside. He went outside to check it out, but as soon as he saw one man on the ground and another holding a gun, he went back inside and called police.
Jeff and other residents contacted by the Times did not know Hernandez well, but Jeff said he “seemed like a nice guy.”
The on-site apartment manager, Irene Kavros, said she was “shocked” by the incident. She said Hernandez and his girlfriend moved into the apartment together.
“He was very nice, and polite. He called me ‘ma’am,'” Kavros said.
She didn’t see any of the incident. Residents were told by police to stay inside their homes when they arrived. Police quickly placed crime tape around the apartment’s courtyard and areas of the parking lot.
Residents who called 911 reported being interviewed by police.
Another witness, who contacted the Times via e-mail but wanted to remain anonymous, said Hernandez was a “brave war hero” who acted in self-defense when his girlfriend’s father arrived at the apartment uninvited. The 18-year-old witness said the older man provoked Hernandez into fighting, and even punched him before the event led to the stabbing.
The witness also reported that Hernandez served in the U.S. Marine Corps for five years, and is “an amazing and caring man.” The e-mail did not specify where Hernandez served overseas.
Another resident at the apartment complex Sunday said he saw Hernandez’ father removing his belongings from his apartment over the weekend.
Police have finished their investigation of the incident, including interviews with all witnesses on the scene, Neumayer said.
Hernandez is still in custody, and is scheduled to be arraigned today. The District Attorney’s Office had not filed formal charges before press time.
