Soledad police sergeant released from hospital after stabbing

Soledad’s Police Chief said Tuesday morning that the police sergeant stabbed Monday afternoon has been released from a Bay Area hospital. An older couple also injured in the incident were reported to be in stable condition as they recovered at separate hospitals in the Bay Area.

Sgt. Tom Marchese, a 10-year veteran of the Soledad Police Department, was stabbed inside a home on 2nd Street just before 4 p.m. Monday.

Soledad Police Chief Eric Sills told Central Coast News that officers were responding to a call for a disturbance at 210 2nd Street when they heard screams and glass smashing.

Officers went to the door of the house and the suspect came at them. As they tried to shield themselves, they noticed at the last minute that he had a two-inch blade in his hand. Sgt. Marchese was then stabbed while trying to defend himself inside the home.

An older man, said to be in his 70s, was also stabbed. An older woman sustained head injuries in the altercation.

All three victims and the suspect were life-flighted to hospitals.

Two other police officers received minor injuries as they tried to subdue the suspect.

The suspect has only been identified as a 17-year-old boy. A photo taken by a witness shows the 17-year-old being carried away by several officers. Police believe the teen suspect may be the grandson of the older couple.

Sills confirms with Central Coast News that Marchese’s wife works for Cal Fire as an engine driver and was on scene helping with the victims, including her injured husband. According to Sills, she was pulled off what she was doing and went to her husband’s side for support. Family members said Sgt. Marchese’s wife has now traveled to the Bay Area hospital where her husband is being treated.

“She was one of the responding units and was also here when this incident occurred. So it was really a blessing for both of them. They’re both professionals and he was you know conscious and talking,” said Soledad Police Chief Eric Sills.

A neighbor who wants to be anonymous said he’s seen issues at the house before.

“One of them came running out and he was hurt and had blood on his arm and the second one came running out and he had a wound on his shoulder and I heard the windows breaking. So I knew something was serious,” said an anonymous source.

Chief Sills said Sgt. Marchese will off on disability until he’s able to return back to work. No word yet on when the other two officers will be back to work.

At this time, it’s unknown what instigated the disturbance. Soledad police are continuing to investigate.

Officers from the Greenfield Police Department, Monterey County Sheriff’s Office and Cal Fire also responded, along with paramedics. Vosti Park was used as a medical staging area for the helicopters and other ambulances.