{{short description|Davis, California stabbings}} In late April to early May 2023, a series of stabbings occurred in Davis, California, near the UC Davis campus. Three people were stabbed, two of whom died. On May 3, police arrested a suspect whom they believe was responsible for all three stabbings.
==Attacks== ===First attack=== On April 27, 2023, at around 11:20 am, police were called for a welfare check for a man found unresponsive on a bench in Central Park, located in downtown Davis.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Hill |first=DeNeeka |date=2023-04-29 |title='Compassion Guy' David Breaux identified as man slain at Central Park in Davis |url=https://www.kcra.com/article/davis-police-activity-reported-in-area-of-central-park/43728061 |access-date=2024-04-29 |website=KCRA |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0" /><ref>{{cite news |last=Keene |first=Lauren |date=May 4, 2023 |title=BREAKING: Suspect, 21, arrested in Davis serial stabbings |work=The Davis Enterprise |url=https://www.davisenterprise.com/news/local/breaking-suspect-21-arrested-in-davis-serial-stabbings |access-date=May 4, 2023}}</ref><ref name=":5" /> First responders discovered that he had suffered numerous stab wounds, and police began a homicide investigation. It is unknown when the stabbing occurred. Breaux had been known to sleep on the bench.<ref>{{cite news |last=Acosta |first=Nicole |date=May 2, 2023 |title=Beloved 'Compassion Guy' Killed: California Community Mourns Park Fixture Who Touched Countless Lives |work=People |url=https://people.com/crime/compassion-guy-killed-california-community-park-fixture |access-date=May 4, 2023}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last1=Mejia |first1=Brittney |last2=Garson |first2=Jessica |date=2023-05-14 |title=He's accused of killing her brother in Davis. Why she forgives him |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-05-14/two-men-dead-davis-serial-stabbings-how-will-families-cope |access-date=2023-07-10 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref> The man was later identified as 50-year-old David Henry Breaux,<ref name=":3" /> a homeless author and activist known locally as "The Compassion Guy."<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Sommariva |first=Ami |date=July 1, 2013 |title=David H. Breaux: Action for Compassion: Holy foolishness and street-corner activism |url=https://online.ucpress.edu/boom/article/3/2/17/106496/David-H-Breaux-Action-for-CompassionHoly |journal=Boom |volume=3 |issue=2 |pages=17–21 |doi=10.1525/boom.2013.3.2.17 |via=University of California Press}}</ref> Breaux was a regular on the streets of Davis, where he greeted people and asked for them to share their personal views on compassion.<ref>{{cite news |last=Acosta |first=Nicole |date=May 2, 2023 |title=Beloved 'Compassion Guy' Killed: California Community Mourns Park Fixture Who Touched Countless Lives |url=https://people.com/crime/compassion-guy-killed-california-community-park-fixture |access-date=May 4, 2023 |work=People}}</ref>
===Second attack=== Two days after the attack on Breaux, a second stabbing occurred on April 29, at Sycamore Park in Davis. The crime happened at approximately 9:15 pm. The victim was identified as Karim Abou Najm, 20, a student at UC Davis and a graduate of Davis High School.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-05-04/arrest-expected-serial-stabbing-case-davis-calif|title=Ex-UC Davis student arrested in serial stabbings that have terrorized city|work=Los Angeles Times|first1=Jessica|last1=Garrison|first2=Brittny|last2=Mejia|date=May 4, 2023|access-date=May 4, 2023}}</ref> He was biking home from an undergraduate conference where he had won an award for his outstanding research and development of software designed to help hearing-impaired people. Like Breaux, he also suffered many stab wounds across his body. The attacker took and fled on Abou Najm's bike,<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |last=Hubler |first=Shawn |date=2023-05-04 |title=Recent College Student Arrested in Three Stabbings in California Town |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/04/us/davis-stabbings-arrest-california.html |access-date=2024-04-29 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and a man who helped him at the scene provided a description that matched the primary suspect.<ref name=":0">{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/05/04/us/university-california-davis-stabbings-arrest-thursday/index.html|title=21-year-old former UC Davis student arrested in connection with series of stabbings near campus, police say|work=CNN|first1=Emma|last1=Tucker|first2=Taylor|last2=Romine|first3=Ritu|last3=Prasad|date=May 4, 2023|access-date=May 4, 2023}}</ref> Abou Najm died of his wounds.<ref name=":0" />
===Third attack=== On May 1, shortly before midnight, Kimberlee Guillory, a 64-year-old homeless woman, was stabbed through her tent at an encampment at 2nd and L Street on the outskirts of downtown Davis. She survived the attack and called 911 to report the stabbing. She was hospitalized in critical condition at the UC Davis Medical Center.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bandur |first=Michelle |date=2023-05-06 |title='I'm grateful that I'm alive': Sole survivor in Davis stabbings recalls attack from hospital bed |url=https://www.kcra.com/article/davis-stabbings-kimberlee-guillory-recalls-attack/43808197 |access-date=2024-04-29 |website=KCRA |language=en}}</ref> The suspect was spotted at the encampment by a group of people who provided a description of the attacker, which matched the description given by the eyewitness at the Abou Najm crime scene.<ref name=":4" />
==Accused== ===Carlos Reales Dominguez===
The suspect, 21-year-old Carlos Reales Dominguez,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/crime/article275104196.html|title=Who is Carlos Dominguez? Suspected Davis killer grew up in Oakland, football team captain|work=The Sacramento Bee|first1=Mathew|last1=Miranda|first2=Stephen|last2=Hobbs|date=May 5, 2023|access-date=May 5, 2023}}</ref> is accused of two murders and one attempted murder. He had previously attended UC Davis until being academically dismissed on April 25, 2023, two days before Breaux’s body was found.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stark |first=Monica |date=2023-05-04 |title=Suspect expelled from UCD before killings began |url=https://www.davisenterprise.com/news/uc_davis/suspect-expelled-from-ucd-before-killings-began/article_fb5282ee-d7a6-5483-ac35-bd8898bf1f1e.html |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=DavisEnterprise.com |language=en}}</ref> A student directory listed Dominguez as a sophomore studying biological sciences. Prior to that, he graduated from Castlemont High School in Oakland, California.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Larson |first=Amy |date=2023-05-05 |title=Davis stabbing suspect graduated from Oakland high school |url=https://www.kron4.com/news/bay-area/davis-stabbing-suspect-graduated-from-oakland-high-school/ |access-date=2024-06-14 |website=KRON4 |language=en-US}}</ref>
On May 3, 2023, Dominguez was arrested and held without bail,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Keene |first=Lauren |date=2023-05-04 |title=Suspect, 21, arrested in serial Davis stabbings |url=https://www.davisenterprise.com/news/crime_fire_courts/suspect-21-arrested-in-serial-davis-stabbings/article_8fada67d-08f7-5bcd-817c-778aa1869ecd.html |access-date=2024-04-29 |website=DavisEnterprise.com |language=en}}</ref> having been spotted by at least 15 people who had called the police tip line and reported that he matched the widely-circulated description of the assailant.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sharp |first=Ashley |date=2023-05-04 |title="A sigh of relief": Davis sleeps soundly after arrest of suspected serial killer |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/sacramento/news/a-sigh-of-relief-davis-sleeps-soundly-after-arrest-of-alleged-serial-killer/ |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=CBS News |language=en-US}}</ref> Dominguez was located by police in the vicinity of Sycamore Park, the location of the Abou Najm murder. He was wearing the same clothes from the night of the attack on Guillory, which helped bystanders identify him. He had a large knife in his possession at the time of the stop, and police said he also had wounds on his hands and wrists.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Watts |first=Julie |date=2023-05-05 |title=Davis suspected serial killer Carlos Dominguez charged with 2 counts of murder, 1 count of attempted murder |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/sacramento/news/davis-suspected-serial-killer-carlos-dominguez-murder/ |access-date=2023-06-13 |website=CBS News |language=en-US}}</ref>
During a competency hearing on July 27, 2023, a court-appointed psychologist described him as "a textbook example of schizophrenia".<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Ayestas |first=Jonathan |date=2023-08-18 |title=Accused Davis serial killer will spend up to 2 years in state hospital |url=https://www.kcra.com/article/accused-davis-serial-killer-2-years-state-hospital/44845739 |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=KCRA |language=en-US}}</ref> Dominguez was found incompetent to stand trial, and in September, he was moved to Atascadero State Hospital.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Keene |first=Lauren |date=2023-09-14 |title=Dominguez transferred to state mental-health facility |url=https://www.davisenterprise.com/news/dominguez-transferred-to-state-mental-health-facility/article_ae481f5a-5333-11ee-9ed3-a7d70e8174cf.html |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=DavisEnterprise.com |language=en}}</ref> His trial was placed on hold until he was treated and restored to competency.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-17 |title=Judge formally commits Davis stabbings suspect Carlos Dominguez to state hospital - CBS Sacramento |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/sacramento/news/judge-formally-commits-davis-stabbings-suspect-carlos-dominguez-to-state-hospital/ |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=CBS News |language=en-US}}</ref>
On December 20, 2023, Dominguez was declared competent to stand trial and returned to court on January 5, 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Desai |first=Ishani |date=2024-01-02 |title=Davis serial stabbing suspect deemed competent by state hospital, will return to face trial |url=https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/crime/article283621993.html |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=www.sacbee.com |language=en-US}}</ref> His trial was initially set to commence on June 18, 2024,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dobson |first=Robyn |date=2024-03-13 |title=Accused Davis stabber Carlos Dominguez to stand trial as early as June |url=https://www.dailydemocrat.com/2024/03/13/accused-davis-stabber-carlos-dominguez-to-stand-trial-as-early-as-june/ |location=California, United States|access-date=2024-05-03 |newspaper=Daily Democrat |language=en-US}}</ref> but was later postponed to April 28, 2025, due to concerns about his mental fitness.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Desai |first=Ishani |date=2024-06-18 |title=Trial date set for ex-student accused in California stabbing spree that killed 2 in Davis |url=https://www.fresnobee.com/news/california/article289364010.html |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=The Fresno Bee |language=en-US}}</ref>
On June 27, 2025, Dominguez's trial ended in a mistrial after jurors acquitted him of first-degree murder but failed to reach a unanimous verdict on the second-degree murder charges. A retrial was initially scheduled on January 20, 2026 for the unresolved charges,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/sacramento/news/new-trial-set-carlos-dominguez-davis-stabbings/ |title=New trial date set for Davis stabbings suspect Carlos Dominguez |work=CBS Sacramento |first=Tori |last=Apodaca |date=2025-07-24 |access-date=2025-10-25}}</ref> but was delayed to May due to family emergency of one of the prosecutors;<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.davisenterprise.com/news/second-trial-for-dominguez-delayed/article_72acc360-6a54-423e-a5fb-a20fec94e19b.html |title=Second trial for Dominguez delayed |work=The Davis Enterprise |first=Lauren |last=Keene |date=2025-12-05 |access-date=2026-01-20}}</ref> the jury selection is set to begin on May 18.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/crime/article314419774.html |title=Dominguez to face new murder trial in May for 2023 Davis serial stabbings |work=The Sacramento Bee |first=Darrell |last=Smith |date=2026-01-22 |access-date=2026-01-23}}</ref> Dominguez cannot be retried for first-degree murder.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/sacramento/news/carlos-dominguez-davis-murders-trial-updates/ |title=Mistrial declared in Davis stabbings trial; jury found Carlos Dominguez not guilty of first-degree murder |work=CBS Sacramento |first=Ashley |last=Sharp |date=2025-06-27 |access-date=2025-07-03}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Smith |first=Darrell |title=Mistrial for Carlos Dominguez in Davis stabbings case. What jury told judge |url=https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/crime/article309549150.html |work=The Sacramento Bee |date=2025-06-28 |access-date=2025-07-03}}</ref>
==David Henry Breaux== {{Importance section|date=December 2025}} '''David Henry Breaux''' better known as "'''the Compassion Guy'''", was an American activist<ref name="Boom">{{cite journal |last1=Sommariva |first1=Ami |title=David H. Breaux: Action for Compassion: Holy foolishness and street-corner activism |journal=Boom |date=Summer 2013 |volume=3 |issue=2 |pages=17–21 |doi=10.1525/boom.2013.3.2.17 |url=https://online.ucpress.edu/boom/article/3/2/17/106496/David-H-Breaux-Action-for-CompassionHoly |access-date=25 January 2024}}</ref> and author in Davis, California. A homeless man, Breaux had been known for his interactions with residents and passersby in Davis, where he habitually sat on a bench at the corner of Third and C streets and asked passersby to contribute to a notebook with their definition of compassion. In April 2023 he was murdered as the first victim in the stabbings.
=== Early life and education === Breaux's mother was a Jamaican immigrant who was diagnosed with schizophrenia. His father was French-Creole and worked as a janitor and was physically and emotionally abusive. He had an older sister and an older brother.<ref name=":0a">{{Cite news |last=Knoll |first=Corina |date=2023-06-05 |title=He Devoted His Life to Compassion. His Killer Showed None. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/05/us/david-breaux-stabbing-compassion-california.html |access-date=2023-07-10 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name=":1a" /> He was raised in Duarte, California.<ref name=":0a" />
Breaux graduated from Stanford University, where he majored in urban studies.<ref name=":0a" />
=== The compassion guy === After a breakup with a girlfriend, Breaux became dejected and began "searching for inspiration", according to the ''New York Times''.<ref name=":0a" /> He discovered the work of Karen Armstrong, who argued that "compassion was inherent to peace". He gave away his possessions and moved to Davis in 2009.<ref name=":0a" />
Breaux typically carried a notebook with him, and asked passersby to contribute to it by writing their definition of compassion. Local residents and workers at businesses in the area considered him "a communal therapist of sorts", according to the ''Times''. He was known as "The Compassion Guy".<ref name="Boom" />
In 2010 Breaux self-published an e-book, ''Compassion: A Compilation of Concepts on Compassion'', created from the contributions to his notebook.<ref name=":1a" /> In the same year, a University of California Davis student created a documentary about Breaux.<ref name=":0" />
In 2013 the city of Davis commissioned a bench to be created at the corner of Third and C streets, which members of the community turned into public art and included the words "Compassion is..."<ref name=":0a" /> Breaux sat on the bench, known as the Compassion Bench, daily.<ref name=":1a">{{Cite news |last=Clayton |first=Abené |date=2023-05-03 |title=California town mourns beloved 'Compassion Guy' killed in stabbing |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/may/03/california-town-mourns-compassion-guy |access-date=2023-07-10 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>
== References == {{Reflist}}
Davis, California stabbings Davis, California stabbings Category:Davis, California Category:Deaths by stabbing in California Category:Homelessness in California Davis, California stabbings Davis, California stabbings Category:Violence in California Category:Violence against homeless people in the United States