Suspect Sought in Stabbing in Van
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Police were looking for a 29-year-old man Monday in connection with a stabbing that occurred in the back of a van traveling on the 118 Freeway.
Christian Pease, believed to be a transient, is suspected in the stabbing of 24-year-old Stephen Flaherty of Simi Valley, said Ventura County Sheriff’s Sgt. Mark Ritchie. Flaherty was listed in serious condition Monday at Columbia Los Robles Hospital.
Pease is described as about 6 feet, 6 inches and 180 pounds, with a shaved head and tattoos.
Pease and Flaherty were in the back of the van with two other occupants. The two men, who apparently had just met that night, began to argue for an unknown reason as they traveled to Thousand Oaks to see friends, said Ritchie. About 12:30 a.m., near Collins Drive, Pease allegedly pulled a knife and stabbed Flaherty more than once.
The driver pulled over on the freeway and the suspect jumped out and ran. The other two men then took Flaherty to the hospital, where officials called sheriff’s deputies.
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