Santa Clara

Suspect, person of interest sought in stabbing inside Levi's Stadium during Mexico-Qatar soccer match

NBC Universal, Inc.

One person was stabbed Sunday inside Levi's Stadium during a soccer match between Mexico and Qatar, Santa Clara police said Monday.

The victim was listed in critical but stable condition, according to police.

“We were afraid,” said Annie, who shot video of the incident while enjoying the game with family, including children.

She said the fight lasted about 10 minutes and security was nowhere in sight.

But what she did notice was a weapon.

Officers said when they responded to the event, they found a man with wounds near his collarbone and was taken to the hospital with critical injuries.

Police identified a suspect and a person of interest involved in the stabbing and are seeking the public’s help in locating them.

The suspect is described as a man between 25 and 35 years old, with short, dark-colored hair and a thin mustache and beard. He was last seen wearing a green Mexico jersey.

The person of interest was described as a woman with dark-colored hair and a similar Mexico jersey.

Santa Clara Police Department
The man on the left is a suspect in a stabbing at Levi's Stadium and the woman on the right is a person of interest. (July 3, 2023)

The Santa Clara Police Department is asking anyone who recognized them to contact them and not try to apprehend them.

“Security was lax, they were pushing people through too quickly because it was crowded and I think they just wanted people to get in,” said Juan Mendoza who was also at Sunday’s game.

He said fights were breaking out and when he went through security, he saw some bags not being checked.

But what concerns him most is how a fan got a knife in the stands.

“It's scary, we have kids on the stands, how do we protect ourselves against someone who has a knife if it ever comes to that?” said Mendoza.

In a joint statement from Levi’s Stadium and CONCACAF they wrote in part, “ensuring the safety of our guests is our highest priority.”

They added that they’re cooperating with local law enforcement and wish the victim a swift recovery.

But fans say they want a more hands-on response.

“I hope Levi’s gets better at security for all events, not just the NFL events,” said Mendoza.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Doug Gerbrandt at 408-615-4823. People can also send an anonymous message to 408-615-4847.

Mexico and Qatar were playing a CONCACAF Gold Cup group stage match.

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