An Elk Grove man stands accused of killing his father with an ax, leaving stunned residents of Emerald Garden Apartment Complex grasping for answers.
Elk Grove police officials say 19-year-old Darrell Dewitt is suspected of stabbing his father several times in the upper torso with an ax Tuesday night before stabbing himself with an unknown weapon.
The 44-year-old father, also named Darrell DeWitt, was found in the rear bedroom of an apartment with several stab wounds about 7:50 p.m. and was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.
The younger Dewitt was also inside the residence, suffering from stab wounds to the upper torso. He was transported to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
"They all seemed like pretty nice people," said Kamaljit Kaur, a mother of two young children who lives in a neighboring apartment. "It seemed like they weren't getting along well … I'm so glad we weren't home (at the time)."
Detectives said they suspect the younger Dewitt's superficial injuries were self-inflicted.
"Whether he used the ax on himself we don't know," said Officer Christopher Trim, Elk Grove police spokesman.
Police found the ax they believe was used in the killing. Trim would not comment on any suspected motives for the attack.
Two other men who were initially detained Tuesday evening were later released. Trim said the identities of those men and their relationship to the victim are not being released.
However, Trim said one of the two men called to ask police to check on the older Dewitt, which prompted the discovery of the dead father and injured son.
The younger Dewitt is in custody at an area hospital, where he is receiving medical treatment. Trim said the 19-year-old will be transported to the Sacramento County Main Jail and booked on suspicion of murder when his medical condition allows.
Trim encouraged neighbors who saw anything suspicious at the complex to call the Elk Grove Police Department Dispatch Center (916) 714-5115.
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