By David M. Greenwald
Executive Editor
Davis, CA – By definition, Davis Police Chief Darren Pytel called it a serial killing. On Thursday, flanked by City Council, staff and other law enforcement, Pytel announced the arrest of 21-year-old former UC Davis student Carlos Domínguez.
According to a statement from UC Davis, “Dominguez was in his third year at UC Davis until April 25, 2023, when he withdrew for academic reasons.”
Chancellor Gary May declined further comment on his condition.
Pytel described the arrest as occurring Wednesday in Sycamore Park, after approximately 15 people reported seeing a person matching the description provided after the third attack.
“They all reported more or less the same thing. One person was in the park, wearing the same clothes we put in the description and walking around,” he said.
Eventually, he said, one of the callers told them he was following them and was able to lead police directly to the suspect.
“He was actually wearing the same clothes that the witnesses described after the third attack,” Pytel said. “That felt like a match.”
He said they spoke briefly, but because it was becoming a bit of a “neighborhood show” he willingly went to the police station and was interviewed for hours. Pytel described him as cooperative and “based on the interview, the physical evidence we were able to gather from him and the clothing and other physical evidence at that time that was starting to come in, we decided to detain him first to have a big knife. that was in his person.”
Pytel declined to comment on whether he had confessed to the crime. He didn’t know if he was planning another attack.
“We believe all three are connected and we have evidence and information that they are,” he said.
Pytel indicated that Dominguez lived with two roommates, who police spoke with, but did not release any information from those interviews.
Pytel added: “I think we have the right person in custody. I think Davis can resume a normal life now.”
Mayor Will Arnold also spoke at the press conference.
“Thank you, Chief, for all your hard work and dedication during, er, the course of this investigation. It is because of the good police work that we are here today to announce that the individual believed to be responsible for these horrific brutal attacks is no longer free to terrorize our community,” he said.
Arnold continued, “This is a remarkable achievement by the Davis Police Department for bringing these cases to this point so quickly. Today’s arrest is the culmination of excellent investigative work by the Davis Police , as well as our regional and national law enforcement partners. I congratulate and thank them, these professionals who work around the clock to ensure that this criminal is out of our neighborhoods and now in custody.”
He said: “To our community and to the families of the victims, let us not forget that their lives have been irreparably affected. We will never forget the ordeal for him. And we will continue to hope and pray for Kim’s full and speedy recovery. We must remain committed as a community to support them with love and compassion.”
Assembly member Cecilia Aguiar-Curry also attended the press conference. His office issued a statement.
“This has been a devastating week for the residents of Davis and the UC Davis community. Two innocent people, David Henry Breau and Karim Abou Najim, lost their lives and a woman was seriously injured in these senseless acts of violence “, he said. “Nothing can undo these tragic losses, but David and Karim’s loved ones can now mourn.”
“It is a great relief to me, as I know it is to my constituents in and around the city of Davis, that this horrific threat is over. But I ask everyone to remember that the pain of fear and loss is still fresh and will not go away anytime soon. Our mission now is to help each other remember those we have lost and restore peace and compassion to our community,” added Assemblywoman Aguiar-Curry.
Asked if he would classify him as a serial killer, Pytel replied, “Based on the information we have and the definition of a serial killer, that would apply.”
He later added, “if you use the very strict definition, then yes.”
The case now goes to the Yolo DA’s office for prosecution and Pytel believes it is likely he will be arraigned on Monday.
The Vanguard will have updates shortly.
