Reportedly Going To Sister's Defense, Brother Is Critically Stabbed

A 21-year-old man was reported in critical but stable condition Sunday after being stabbed outside the Waite Drive apartment of his sister, after her rboyfriend reportedly choked and threw her against a closet, authorities said.

Mark Hernandez Cervantes, 28, was arrested and booked into County Jail on assault and other charges in the wake of the incident sometime before 1:45 a.m. Sunday, said La Mesa police Sgt. Ray Sweeney.

A report of a stabbing brought police to the 7100 block of Waite Drive, near Massachusetts Avenue just north of state Route 94, Sweeney said.

“When officers arrived, they found the … victim lying near a sidewalk and rendered treatment,” Sweeney said. “A perimeter was set up on the apartment and the suspect surrendered shortly after.”

Police said they learned of an altercation between the suspect and his girlfriend before the stabbing.

“During that altercation, the suspect allegedly choked her until she lost consciousness and threw her against a closet,” Sweeney said.

When she regained consciousness, the woman whose age and name weren’t released called her mother, who came to the apartment with the woman’s brother, Sweeney said.

The female victim did not require medical attention, police said.

“The brother and the suspect got into a verbal argument that turned physical inside the apartment,” Seeeney said. “At some point, the suspect grabbed a knife and allegedly stabbed the brother in the chest and leg.”

The unidentified victim was transported to Sharp Memorial Hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery, Sweeney said.

According to the hospital, the victim was in critical but stable condition Sunday morning.

Cervantes, a San Diego resident, was being held on $50,000 bail with arraignment set at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday in El Cajon Superior Court.

Police said the investigation is continuing, and anyone with information is urged to call the La Mesa Police Department at 619-667-1400.

You may also call Crime Stoppers’ anonymous toll-free tip line at 888-580-TIPS (or www.sdcrimestoppers.com). People can remain anonymous, and be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest in this case.