California mass stabber who killed 1 in random attack was out on parole for previous knifing spree

The suspect behind a deadly mass stabbing in Oakland this week was identified by police as a mentally disturbed homeless man on parole for a previous knifing spree.

Jose Jesus Rodriguez, 34, is accused of the 30-minute rampage across Cesar Chavez Park and three other locations that killed one and left four injured on Monday.

Chilling footage shows the moment Rodriguez, in a white tank top, can be seen approaching his first victim, who tries to back away before he suddenly begins stabbing her repeatedly.  The string of attacks quickly spread across East Oakland, with transportation officers alerting city police to another stabbing near the Fruitvale BART station.

According to court records, Rodriguez is homeless and has mental health issues.

In 2019, he also stabbed attacked an Uber driver and garbage collector. He was sent to prison for the attack and released on parole in 2023.

After his release, Rodriguez was hit with multiple parole violations and failed to find work, KTVU reported. He allegedly tried to bite off a police officer’s ear and swung a wooden board at two people.

A parole agent wrote last year that “there are no programs to appropriately address Rodriguez’s escalating behavior, adding he “poses a significant threat to the community.”

Legal analyst Steven Clark told KTVU that this incident raises broader debate over how Oakland handles public safety.

“It’s understandable why the community may feel that the pendulum has swung too far in favor of the defendant instead of public safety when you see a case like this,” Clark said.

Rodriguez now faces murder and assault charges and is being held without bail at Santa Rita Jail.

Some Oakland residents said they’re feeling troubled and scared from the recent stabbing spree.

“That was very, very scary,” Moe Hassan told KTVU near the site of two of the stabbings. “We need to get a hold on it. Mental health is very strong in Oakland, and it’s like more and more every day.”

Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters