Authorities are searching for a man they say stabbed his wife multiple times in a Vista church parking lot, then fled with two of their children.
Juan Gonzalez, 39, attacked his wife at First Lutheran Church on the 1400 Block of Foothill Drive around 5:40 p.m. Sunday after a verbal and physical argument began at a nearby apartment, the San Diego Sheriff’s Department said.
Gonzalez left the apartment with two of their four children and went and sat in his white Chevrolet pick-up in the church parking lot.
The victim told deputies that when she walked over to speak with her husband, he was drinking a beer with the two children sitting in the front seat. She said Gonzalez then took a pocket knife out and stabbed her repeatedly.
While the victim ran away to get help, she says Gonzalez threatened to physically harm her if she told anyone. He then fled the scene with the children, aged 1 and 3.
The victim was transported to Palomar Hospital. Her condition is unknown.
Vista deputies have been unable to locate Gonzalez and the children. They have placed the two missing children into the San Diego Sheriff's Missing Person System, while the other two children were taken into protective custody.
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Authorities say Gonzalez has black hair and brown eyes, weighs about 200 pounds and stands 5 feet, 7 inches tall. They say he was last seen wearing a plaid shirt and brown pants.
His vehicle has the California license plate 8W12407.
The Vista Patrol Station’s Detective Division is handling the investigation, and they are asking for the public’s help in locating Gonzalez, who is wanted for assault with a deadly weapon.
Anyone who has information pertaining to this incident is being asked to contact the Vista Sheriff's Station at (760) 940-4551 or the non-emergency number at (858) 565-5200.
