Anaheim man arrested in fatal Huntington Beach pier stabbing

An Anaheim man is in custody on suspicion of a murder that took place on the Huntington Beach pier earlier this month.

Huntington Beach police responded to reports of a stabbing on the pier at 6:36 p.m. on May 5. Numerous officers responded to the incident with several canvassing the area to locate the fleeing suspect, who was then taken into custody.

The victim, 21, was transported to the UC Irvine Medical Center in Orange with multiple stab wounds but was pronounced dead.

“We still have not released the name of the victim due to the ongoing investigation,” Lt. Brian Smith said on Thursday.

Authorities said early investigations indicate the suspect verbally stopped the victim as he was walking along on the pier, which then led to a physical altercation. The suspect then produced a knife and allegedly stabbed the victim multiple times.

Police said Tuesday they do not believe either the suspect or the victim had any prior connection with one another.

Joe Flores III, 25, is charged with murder and one felony enhancement for using a deadly weapon.

He is currently in custody on $1-million bail and is expected to appear at the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana on May 26.

Police are aware of videos circulating on social media of the incident and are asking those that directly captured video or who have information on the incident to call the department’s tip-line at (714) 375-5066.

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