Investigators describe the deadly stabbing of a man in Oceanside as a targeted, swift and brutal attack, but the victim’s brother, however, describes the murder – and suspect – as nothing more than cowardly.
“The person who did this is a coward,” said Benjamin Prince, referring to the killing of his brother, Joseph Prince. “He didn’t deserve to die like that, and we need to figure out who did this. Everyone is devastated and shocked this happened because no one knows why.”
Joseph Prince, 32, was stabbed to death in a sudden and vicious assault in the 100 block of Wisconsin Avenue on Thursday around 3:45 p.m. after riding his bicycle near the beach.
Police officers went to the area to investigate what they believed was a traffic accident. When they arrived, they discovered Joseph face-down on the street, his bike near his body.
He had been stabbed at least once in the chest and was declared dead at the scene.
As of Saturday morning, no one had been arrested in connection with the deadly stabbing. The investigation is ongoing, and detectives believe the attack was not random and Joseph likely knew the assailant.
For Joseph’s family, the past couple of days have been filled with pain and anger.
In an interview with NBC 7 Friday night, Benjamin said his brother – known as “Joe” – was a family man who leaves behind two young children, Adrean and Alexis.
Benjamin said Joseph will forever be remembered for his caring nature and generosity.
“He has one of the biggest hearts in the world. He was a very loyal, honest friend,” said Benjamin. “He would give the shirt off his back if one of his friends or loved ones needed it. If that person hadn’t eaten for two days and my brother had a burrito and hadn’t eaten in two days, he’d give him the burrito.”
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Benjamin said Joseph grew up with his mother and three brothers in the valley area of Oceanside. He said the family is devastated by the unexpected loss of their loved one and they want answers.
“To be honest with you, I’m angry because he didn’t deserve to die the way he did,” said Benjamin, frustrated. “I think we deserve to know why – we need to know who it is and that person needs to be caught.”
Surveillance video recorded just before Joseph’s deadly stabbing shows him riding his bike around Wisconsin Avenue and Myers Street near the beach. Those were the last moments he would be seen alive.
At this point, investigators have not determined a motive for the killing. Residents in the area told police they did not hear yelling or a struggle before the attack.
“From 60 yards you should hear something,” resident Nick Fogel, who lives near the scene of the crime, told NBC 7. “No sounds, no confrontation, no tires screeching or anything.”
And, while some people who live in the area said Prince may have had a troubled past, Benjamin said they don’t truly know his beloved brother.
“He was a good person and the people who actually know him, grew up with him, they know what kind of person he is,” Benjamin added.
Police said the description of a possible suspect in this killing is limited. For now, the attacker is described as a light-skinned man in his 30s, wearing a red baseball cap and blue jeans. He fled the scene on a black beach cruiser-style bicycle, riding away northbound.
