UC Davis student faces long recovery after stabbing on Amtrak Capitol Corridor train

A 21-year-old UC Davis student on his way to campus suffered severe stab wounds aboard an Amtrak Capitol Corridor train earlier this month by a Sacramento man who was ultimately stopped by another passenger, according to an online fundraiser and police.

Noah Sonet suffered wounds Sept. 8 to his heart, lung and arm before he pushed away the attacker and collapsed in the conductor’s cabin. He underwent emergency surgery, and it will take months before he will fully recover, according to the GoFundMe drive organized by family friends.

“It was the longest, most frightening hours of their life,” the organizers said of Sonet’s parents.

An Amtrak conductor reported about 10:30 p.m. that the train would make an emergency stop at the Fairfield-Vacaville station due to a stabbing, according to the Fairfield Police Department. Officers arrived and began to evacuate riders before searching the train for the attacker.

Officers found Sonet first and continued their search. They then came across a man holding the knife but realized he was actually a victim who manage to thwart the suspect and was “was bravely holding him at bay” until help arrived, Fairfield police wrote in a news release.

Brandon Torresmendoza, 23, had the criminal proceedings suspended against him at his arraignment after defense attorneys said he was incompetent to understand the charges, according to court records.

He was charged with two counts of assault with a deadly weapon, robbery, manufacturing, having or selling metal knuckles and obstructing peace officers. A doctor’s report about Torresmendoza is scheduled to be heard at a hearing Oct. 10.

Torresmendoza is being held without bail in custody in Solano County’s jail.

The fundraiser is seeking costs to help pay for medical bills and can be found at gofundme.com/f/support-noahs-recovery-journey-together