A Fresno man has been arrested and charged with attempted murder and attempted murder of a public official in connection with the stabbing of a county prosecutor. The alleged attack is believed to be an act of retaliation.
Dustin Crawford, 42, was taken into custody after allegedly stabbing a prosecutor multiple times in the back outside Courthouse Park in downtown Fresno on Thursday. According to District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp, Crawford reportedly recognized the prosecutor and others who were filming a campaign commercial and specifically targeted the prosecutor.
The injured prosecutor was taken to the hospital but has since been released. Crawford is being held in the Fresno County Jail with bail set at $1 million. He has a history of criminal offenses, including time served in prison.
The incident occurred on August 20. Images show police tape cordoning off an area of Courthouse Park, where the stabbing took place.
Smittcamp stated that the attack was in revenge for a previous case in which the prosecutor was involved in sending Crawford to prison.