Palmdale Man Arrested at Hospital

Sheriff’s homicide detectives arrested a Palmdale man Sunday at a hospital where they believe he was being treated for wounds they allege he suffered while stabbing another man to death, officials said.

Fidel Castro, 22, of Palmdale was arrested on suspicion of murder and was being held at the Men’s Central Jail, said Deputy John McBride.

The victim, identified as James Popp, 24, was discovered in his Palmdale apartment about 12:30 a.m. Sunday by his brother. He had been stabbed in the chest and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Detectives found Castro at an unnamed local hospital about 3:30 p.m., McBride said. He said he did not know the nature of the wounds Castro suffered. Detectives had not found a motive for the killing, he said.

“We know that they were friends or acquaintances,” McBride said. “Friends don’t stab each other.”