Riverside Police Department
Police in Riverside near Los Angeles are investigating the random stabbing death of an Asian American woman walking her dog.
KTLA reports an assailant attacked 64-year-old Ke Chieh Meng on Saturday morning at about 7:30. Authorities received reports of a suspicious transient woman walking through their yards.
“Preliminary investigation revealed Ms. Meng was walking her two small dogs along Golden Avenue this morning when she was randomly confronted and attacked by the transient woman,” Railsback said to NBC LA.
The suspect has been identified as 23-year-old Stephanie Montoya of Monterey Park who has been brought in for questioning and arrested.
“The suspect is homeless from LA County and is obviously experiencing mental health and substance abuse issues,” Railsback said, adding that “the attack could have happened to anyone.”
Authorities do not believe the attack was racially motivated.
Montoya is being held without bail on suspicion of murder, a weapons violation and suspicion of being under the influence of an illegal substance.
This is the second time in a week Montoya has been arrested. They arrested her Tuesday on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon after she allegedly attacked a woman with a skateboard. She was released from jail due to emergency COVID-19 protocols and ordered to appear.
AsAmNews has Asian America in its heart. We’re an all-volunteer effort of dedicated staff and interns. Check out our new Instagram account. Go to our Twitter feed and Facebook page for more content. Please consider interning, joining our staff, or making a financial contribution to support us.