A man trying to save his neighbor from a violent attack at a Westminster apartment complex was stabbed to death early Saturday morning, authorities said.
Alvaro Martin Perez, 48, was trying to intervene in a dispute between roommates when he was fatally stabbed, according to Westminster Police Sgt. Gerrad Kent.
“Mr. Perez’s actions were nothing short of heroic,” Westminster Police Chief Darren Linney said in a statement. “Tragically, his efforts to protect his neighbor cost him his life.”
The suspect was arrested after other neighbors detained him.
“I'm sure there are a lot of sad families in those apartments today,” Kent said.
At approximately 1 a.m., Westminster police officers responded to reports of a stabbing at a small 1980s-era apartment complex in the 7300 block of 21st Street. When they arrived, they found several apartment residents holding down the suspect, who police identified as Isaias Sakic Sakic, 35, is from Westminster.
“The investigation revealed that there was an altercation between Sakik Sakik and one of his roommates, which escalated into a physical altercation,” Kent said. Sakik Sakik is suspected of stabbing his roommate several times with a knife, Kent said.
During the altercation, Martin Perez “tried to help the victim out of the apartment and was stabbed repeatedly,” Kent said.
Other neighbors were able to disarm the suspect and hold him down until officers arrived, Kent said.
The injured roommate, whose identity has not been released, was taken to the hospital where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
Sakic Sakic is being held in the Orange County Jail on suspicion of murder and one count of attempted murder, Kent said.
“I have no doubt that his courage saved the lives of others in the area,” Lenny said of Martin Perez. “On behalf of the members of the Westminster Police Department, we extend our deepest condolences to the victim’s family.”
