Man Stabbed 20 Times Listed as Fair

A 22-year-old Moorpark man was in fair condition at Simi Valley Hospital on Thursday, a day after he was stabbed more than 20 times by four juveniles, authorities said.

Residents found Jacobo Martinez bleeding severely from more than 22 lacerations after the 11:45 p.m. attack Wednesday near the intersection of Wicks Road and Walnut Canyon Road, police said.

Sheriff’s Det. Ernie Montagna said Martinez was assaulted while walking home from a market.

Just before he was attacked he exchanged words with the youths, who were dressed in gang attire, Martinez told police.

However, Montagna said the incident did not appear to be gang-related because Martinez, a clerk at a department store, is not a gang member. His wallet was missing after the attack, and Montagna said police are attempting to discover whether robbery was the motive.

“We don’t know if it was lost somewhere during the altercation or if in fact the suspects took it,” he said. “They assaulted him, but if the motive was robbery we don’t know yet.”