By Sara Beth Williams–
One man is in critical condition following an assault at a Citrus Heights shopping center Thursday afternoon, police say.
Just before 2:30 p.m. Citrus Heights Police officers responded to reports of an armed man who had assaulted another man at a shopping center at Auburn Boulevard and Greenback Lane. The victim in the assault was found unresponsive outside and transported to the hospital, police radio traffic indicates. Police did not indicate that any firearms were used in the assault.
The attacker, who was armed with a knife, fled the scene on foot down Auburn Boulevard as police arrived on scene. The assailant, believed to be the only suspect in the crime, led police officers on a short pursuit. During the pursuit, the suspect could be heard shouting at officers.
Westbound lanes on Auburn Boulevard were temporarily closed as police pursued the known transient who was holding a knife or other sharp object close to his neck while walking in the middle of the roadway.
Police cruisers followed the suspect through the middle of the westbound lanes, warning him multiple times that force would be used against him if he continued to wield the weapon. Officers said they did not want to kill him but continued to request that he lay on the ground and lay down his weapon.
Officers were eventually able to use force to detain the man. No injuries to officers or to the man wielding the weapon were reported.
Citrus Heights Police Sgt. Eric Dias told The Sentinel that the man was taken into custody and that the incident did not result in any shooting. Lanes were reopened once the man was detained and taken into custody.
Sgt. David Jones reported Friday evening that the assault was an isolated incident and that there is no threat to the broader community. The suspect is in custody at Sacramento County Main Jail. Police are not releasing the name of the suspect or the victim at this time.
A large police presence was witnessed at the shopping plaza on the corner of Greenback Lane and Auburn Boulevard Thursday afternoon where the man had originated from.
Police confirmed that the scene of the assault was cordoned off with caution tape as they continued their investigation into the evening on Thursday, but that the victim had not died. The retail store where the assault took place is still open for business, police said.
Authorities are looking for additional witnesses to the crime. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Citrus Heights Police Department’s non-emergency line at 916-727-5500.
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