Vista CA– On Sunday evening, August 17, 2014 at 5:39PM, Vista deputies responded to a stabbing which occurred in the parking lot of the First Lutheran Church located at 1410 Foothill Drive. The victim was stabbed several times by her husband, Juan Gonzalez (12-05-75).
The victim and Juan had been involved in a verbal argument in a nearby apartment where a physical altercation occurred according to a witness. Juan took two of their four children, left the apartment and sat in his white Chevrolet pick-up (CA. 8W12407) for an hour in the church parking lot.
When the victim walked over to talk with Juan, he was consuming a beer with the two children seated in the front seat. Juan then took a pocket knife out, exited the vehicle and stabbed the victim several times. As the victim ran for help, Juan made threats to physically harm her if she told anyone. Juan then fled the scene with their two children. The ages of the children are one and three years old.
Vista deputies followed up on several different leads but were unable to locate Juan or the two kids. The victim was transported to Palomar Hospital for treatment of her injuries. The two children taken by Juan were placed into the San Diego Sheriff’s Missing Person System. The two remaining children inside the apartment were taken into protective custody.
Juan is a Hispanic male adult, 5’07”, possibly 200 lbs., black hair, and brown eyes. He was last wearing a plaid shirt and brown pants. The investigation is being handled by the Vista Patrol Station’s Detective Division.
We are asking for the community’s help in locating Juan Gonzalez. If you have any information that may assist investigators, please contact the Vista Sheriff’s Station at (760) 940-4551 or Sheriff’s non-emergency number at (858) 565-5200.