Man charged with attempted murder after San Jose officer stabbed

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KRON) — A man who allegedly brought a machete to a Target in San Jose on Tuesday and pointed it at a security guard has been charged with the attempted murders of two San Jose police officers who were responding to the call. One officer underwent surgery after being stabbed during the arrest, according to the San Jose Police Department.

Authorities responded at 9:49 a.m. to the Target at 533 Coleman Avenue on the report of an intoxicated man pointing a machete at security. The man, identified by police as Eli Scott, 41, of San Jose, allegedly dropped the machete and fled from the store when confronted by armed security guards.

One arriving SJPD officer located Scott in the area and ordered him to stop, police said. Scott allegedly brandished a separate knife at the officer before running across Autumn Parkway. Two additional officers arrived and chased Scott toward an open field, SJPD said, where Scott slipped and the officers caught up.

During the arrest, Scott stabbed one officer in the upper arm “causing a serious injury,” police said, and attempted to stab the second officer.

The officer who was stabbed was transported to a local hospital and underwent surgery. The injury was determined to be non-life-threatening.

Scott was hospitalized for minor injuries before being booked into the Santa Clara County Jail for attempted murder of two police officers, violently resisting arrest, assault with a deadly weapon, and brandishing a weapon, according to SJPD.

“It is horrifying to imagine walking into a Target and running into a man with a machete,” San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan said in a statement. “Because of the dangerous actions of someone who clearly needed to be behind bars or in secure treatment, a San Jose police officer is in the hospital instead of on patrol. As I pray for his swift recovery, I’m asking: how many more first responders need to be injured before our county and state expand the mental health and addiction treatment facilities we need?”