Suspect allegedly stabs baby, attacks family changing tire in Menifee

MENIFEE, Calif. (KABC) -- A man allegedly walked across the 215 Freeway in Menifee and stabbed an 18-month-old baby while his mother and several other family members attempted to change a flat tire on their disabled vehicle early Monday, California Highway Patrol officials said.

The family-of-five pulled over on the right shoulder of the northbound 215 Freeway, just south of Newport Road, at about 1:20 a.m. Monday to change a flat tire on their 1990 Mazda hatchback. That's when 44-year-old Nicolas Lopez Garcia, who was walking along the opposite side of the freeway, crossed all lanes of traffic toward the victims.

Armed with a broken plastic freeway paddle marker, Garcia allegedly smashed the driver's side window, broke out the rear window and began stabbing the baby with the broken, jagged edge of the paddle, CHP said.

"He then reached in for an 18-month-old male child, which was seated in the back seat, and tried pulling the male child out of the car and then began using the plastic object as a weapon, stabbing the 18-month-old child," said CHP Officer Mike Lassig.

Three adults exited the Mazda and attempted to grab the paddle from the man. They sustained minor to moderate lacerations during the struggle. After re-entering the vehicle, the victims fled the scene and called 911.

The mother and the baby were transported to Inland Valley Medical Center with severe but non-life threatening lacerations. The baby suffered cuts to his neck and hands.

Responding CHP officers found Garcia kneeling on the shoulder of the freeway. He was allegedly setting fire to some of the victims' personal belongings, including a toy fire engine and a baby book.

"The suspect actually lit fire to the objects that they left at the scene," Lassig said.

CHP officers extinguished the fire and ordered Garcia to follow officer's commands. A Taser was used after he refused to cooperate with CHP officers. The motive for the attack remains under investigation.

Garcia was booked into the Southwest Detention Center in Murrieta on suspicion of attempted murder, willfull harm to a child, assault with a deadly weapon, resisting arrest and being under the influence. He is being held in lieu of $1 million bail and is set to be arraigned Wednesday.