East County knife attack victim dies in hospital: police

EL CAJON, Calif. (AP) — A homeless man who was stabbed in San Diego’s East County earlier this month has died, authorities said Wednesday.

According to El Cajon police, 71-year-old Steven Barron died of his injuries at a hospital on Saturday.

Police responded to a report of a stabbing in the 800 block of Benedict Ave. on Oct. 5 around 9:15 p.m. in El Cajon. Officers encountered a man armed with a knife near the victim, who suffered a stab wound to the upper body, Lt. Will Guerin.

As officers approached the suspect, later identified as Gregory Carlomagno, 44, he fled on foot and attempted to carjack a vehicle, Guerin said. He was later arrested in the 700 block of W. Main St.

Barron was taken to a hospital, where he remained until his death.

“The investigation revealed that Barron and Carlomagno are both homeless and only recently met each other,” Guerin said. “Barron was driving Carlomagno to a store when Barron’s vehicle broke down. He stopped to clarify the issue and, for reasons still under investigation, Carlomagno stabbed Barron.”

Carlomagno, who was already on probation for grand theft, was being held without bail at the George Bailey Detention Center in San Diego on several charges.