SJPD: Father stabbed son to death in San Jose park before police shooting

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KRON) — A deranged father stabbed his 9-year-old son to death in a San Jose park in what police are calling a “gruesome” and “unfathomable act of violence.”

The father, 48-year-old Mateusz Dzierbun of Fremont, was shot to death by police officers on Sunday afternoon as officers attempted to save the boy in Cataldi Park, San Jose Police Chief Paul Joseph said.

“There is no known or understandable explanation for what could possess a father to take the life of his own son, especially in such a violent manner,” Joseph told reporters at a news conference held at the police station Monday afternoon.

Dzierbun made a “hysterical” 911 call at 3:23 p.m. Sunday reporting that someone was stabbing his young son, the police chief said. A 911 dispatcher had no idea that the person on the line was in fact the killer, Joseph said. The father’s twisted plan was to murder his own son, and then “lure” officers to the scene to kill him, Joseph said.

Dzierbun was hunched over his son’s body, he was covered in blood, and he was holding a large kitchen knife when officers arrived in the park, Joseph said. Dzierbun allegedly stood up and charged at officers. Police officers responded with a barrage of bullets, neighbors said.

Immediately after the police shooting, officers ran toward the bleeding 9-year-old boy to help him. Tragically, they discovered that the child was already deceased, Joseph said. One officer lifted a bandana that was covering the boy’s face. The child’s facial injuries were so horrifying, Joseph said he would not describe them to reporters.

Joseph, who is a 33-year law enforcement veteran, said the boy’s death in Cataldi Park was one of the most disturbing incidents he’s ever seen.

The police chief described the incident as “a twisted plan to force officers to shoot him. I don’t ever remember a parent murdering a child so brutally. Suicide by cop is a cowardly act, one that draws officers into the suspect’s disturbed nightmare.”

Cataldi Park is located on the north side of the city in a quiet neighborhood. There are pickleball and tennis courts near the scene of the stabbing. San Jose Police Department Sgt. Jorge Garibay wrote, “Detectives believed the suspect murdered his child in the park.”

Dzierbun does not have any criminal history in Santa Clara County and Alameda County, according to police. The police chief said the father also didn’t have a history of mental health problems.

Mayor Matt Mahan said, “As a parent and as a human being, there are no words to describe how horrific and heartbreaking this act of violence is. I cannot imagine how scared this child must have been when the person meant to be their protector became their attacker.”

A local tennis player at the park was shocked that such a violent incident happened in the quiet neighborhood. “This is a picnic area. And a lot of families here. I can’t imagine. Horrible,” the tennis player said. One neighbor showed KRON4 a home surveillance video in which nearly 20 shots can be heard as officers fired their weapons at Dzierbun.

Investigators are looking into the father’s life and where he lived in Fremont. So far, they are unsure why he went to Cataldi Park in San Jose, the police chief said.

Chief Joseph said, “What we saw yesterday, we will never unsee. Yesterday will leave scars on every person who investigated this tragedy. Our officers were faced with an unthinkable scene and responded with urgency, courage, and professionalism. The San Jose Police Department grieves alongside the victim’s family and our community, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to finding answers in the wake of this senseless act of violence.”

The San Jose Police Department said none of its officers were injured during Sunday’s incident. The 9-year-old boy’s name was not released by law enforcement officials. His death was the 13th homicide in San Jose this year.