Man Held in Attack on Woman, 81

An 81-year-old San Fernando woman allegedly stabbed by a transient she had befriended was in stable condition Saturday at a local hospital, police said.

Police arrested Jim Shepherd, 32, on suspicion of stabbing the woman with a kitchen knife in the face, hands and stomach Friday after she let him in her home and attempted to prepare him a meal.

The woman’s 82-year-old brother found her at the home they shared on Hagar Street just before 3 p.m. Friday. He told police Shepherd came to his law office with blood splattered on his shirt and said he had just killed “an enemy of God,” police said.

The woman’s brother grew worried after she did not answer his telephone calls, police said.

The brother and sister, whose names were not released, had been friends with the transient for the past few years, police said.

Shepherd, who was arrested when he returned a second time to the law office, was booked for attempted murder and is being held on $500,000 bail. Police said he had a history of mental illness. An arraignment is scheduled for Tuesday.