Murrieta –Â On Thursday, 07/02/2026, at approximately 10:34 P.M., officers responded to the Waterstone Apartments, located at 24850 Hancock Avenue, after receiving multiple reports of a male chasing another male with a knife. Officers determined a physical altercation occurred between two adult males, ages 32 and 37. During the altercation, one of the individuals produced a knife and stabbed the other male. The altercation and subsequent stabbing occurred in the north driveway of the apartment complex parking lot.
Prior to the arrival of law enforcement, the injured victim was transported by an unidentified individual in a private vehicle to a nearby hospital for emergency medical treatment. At this time, investigators have not identified the individual who transported the victim, and that person has not contacted law enforcement. Detectives believe this individual may have important information regarding the circumstances surrounding the incident.
During the initial response, officers used the department’s newly implemented Drone as First Responder (DFR) system. The drone was deployed and arrived on scene (while officers were still en route), located the suspected assailant in the complex’s parking lot, and guided officers to his exact location, where he was detained without incident.
Based on the initial investigation, Gekeith McDuffie (37) of Jersey City, New Jersey, was arrested on suspicion of Attempted Murder [Penal Code § 664/187(a)] and Assault with a Deadly Weapon [Penal Code § 245(a)(1)] and booked at the Cois Byrd Detention Center.
The victim remains hospitalized in serious condition.
Detectives continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the altercation and are seeking any cell phone, surveillance, or dash camera footage that may have captured the incident or the movements of those involved before or after the stabbing.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective B. Williams at 951-970-8965 or BWilliams@MurrietaCA.gov and reference Murrieta Police Department case number MR26-3127.
Although there is no threat to the community, this investigation remains open and active.
