Transient man arrested after fight leads to stabbing at Lake Cahuilla

The La Quinta Police Department arrested a transient man who’s accused of stabbing another transient man in the stomach Thursday afternoon at Lake Cahuilla.

Police were called to 58075 Jefferson Street just after 4 p.m.

Officers found a 48-year-old Coachella Valley transient with a stab wound to his abdomen. They learned he was visiting the park with his friend, 47-year-old James Alexander, also a transient in the Coachella Valley.

While visiting the park, the men began arguing and fighting each other. During the altercation Alexander used a small pocket knife to stab the victim once in the stomach.

The victim was taken to the hospital where he was treated for a small cut and released.

Officers said they quickly found the suspect, James Alexander, inside the park and arrested him. He was booked into the Riverside County Jail in Indio on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon.

Anyone with information about the stabbing is asked to call the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department at (760) 863-8990.