Sacramento man arrested after stabbing on Amtrak train. A bystander stopped him, police say

Authorities in Solano County arrested a Sacramento man Sunday night on suspicion of stabbing a man repeatedly while aboard an Amtrak Capitol Corridor train that had made an emergency stop in Fairfield.

An Amtrak conductor called dispatchers about 10:30 p.m. to report a stabbing and said the train would stop at the Fairfield-Vacaville station in Fairfield, the Fairfield Police Department said in a news release. The train, which began its journey in San Jose, was headed to Sacramento, said Olivia Irvin, an Amtrak spokeswoman, in an email.

Officers began to evacuate riders as the train arrived and began searching for the suspect, the news release said.

During the search, officers found a 21-year-old man suffering two stab wounds to the chest. He was taken to a local hospital in critical condition, police said.

Officers also happened 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, the news release said.

The suspect’s motive is unclear, Fairfield police said. An investigation is underway.

The suspect was booked into custody in Solano County and faces charges of attempted homicide, false imprisonment and violating parole, police said.

This story was originally published September 9, 2024 at 4:37 PM.