Mom, 2 sons expected to survive after being stabbed during Costa Mesa burglary

COSTA MESA, Calif. (KABC) -- A mother and her two sons who were stabbed after interrupting a burglary in progress in their Costa Mesa apartment are expected to survive.

Officers responded to an apartment complex in the 1900 block of Wallace Avenue around 7:30 p.m. Tuesday on reports of a stabbing in the area. Authorities said the three victims came home and interrupted a burglary. The suspect then attacked the family before fleeing the apartment.

Alex Garcia said he ran to the apartment complex after he heard his aunt and cousins had been stabbed.

"My aunt went to her room. My aunt saw the guy and he told her to be quiet but she screamed," he said. "My two cousins got stabbed. My aunt got stabbed and they just kept fighting and tried to get him out of the house, but couldn't. He was just too strong."

When an officer arrived on scene, they found the suspect matching a description of a person seen fleeing the area. The officer chased the suspect into another nearby apartment complex, cornered him and was able to hold him at gunpoint until backup arrived.

During the apprehension, the suspect fought back and one officer sustained an injury to his arm. Two knives were also found on the suspect, police said.

Garcia said a neighbor managed to slow the suspect down by hitting him with a stick before police had arrived, and he thanks the Good Samaritan for helping his family.

The mother, 39, and her 17-year-old son were taken to Orange County Global Medical Center for treatment.

Her other son, 11, suffered three stab wounds to the back and one to his side, Garcia said. The kid was taken to Children's Hospital Orange County. He underwent surgery and is in stable condition.

The suspect was booked into Orange County Jail for attempted murder. His identity has not been released because of the ongoing investigation, authorities said.