From the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On 06-14-2014, at approximately 11:58 p.m., the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call with a citizen reporting a stabbing which just occurred at the 76 Gas Station at 2698 Central Avenue, McKinleyville. The citizen reported the suspect left the scene driving a red sedan, and the 17 year old male victim was at the station, needing immediate medical attention from a stab wound to the chest.

Medical personnel and deputies were dispatched to the 76 Gas Station. As deputies were arriving at the scene, they spotted a 1998 Red Audi sedan leaving at a high rate of speed with four occupants in the vehicle.. They initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle in the 2500 block of Central Avenue, McKinleyville and detained the occupants. One of the occupants of the vehicle was later identified by witnesses as the stabbing suspect Luis Manuel Salinas-Gonzalez, 18 years old from McKinleyville. Deputies also responded to the gas station and met with witnesses and the victim.

After interviewing witnesses, deputies learned the victim and suspect had a verbal confrontation at the gas station. During the confrontation Salinas-Gonzalez started to spin his vehicle around in the middle of Reasor Road, McKinleyville almost striking the 17 year old victim. The 17 year old male victim then punched the rear passenger side window of the Audi shattering it. Salina-Gonzalez drove away, but returned a short time later with some family members. A fist fight ensued between Salinas-Gonzalez and the victim. During the fight witnesses saw Salinas-Gonzalez strike the victim with something in his hand. After the victim was struck he fell to the ground. Salinas-Gonzalez then fled the scene.

Deputies located an approximate 2 ¾ inch red folding knife in Salinas-Gonzalez front pocket. Salinas-Gonzalez was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon and child abuse. He was transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility where his bail was set at $50,000.00.

The 17 year old victim was transported to a local hospital. His current condition is unknown.

Anyone with information for the Sheriffs Office regarding this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Sheriffs Office at 707-445-7251 or the Sheriffs Office Crime Tip line at 707-268-2539.