Surveillance footage captures SF stabbing

Posted at: 11/02/2012 5:48 PM
Updated at: 11/02/2012 7:49 PM
By: Jill Galus, KOB Eyewitness News 4

An ambush-style stabbing left a Santa Fe man fighting for his life. It happened outside a smoke shop on Cerillos. Little did his attackers know, a surveillance camera was rolling as the attack unfolded.

Police are now hoping someone will be able to tell them who the suspects are.

In the surveillance video, a 22-year-old man, identified as an employee at Santa Fe Smoke Works, is seen outside behind the shop for no more than a few seconds when he is thrown to the ground.

With no visible hesitation, a man in a white shirt pulls out a knife and stabs the man in the stomach. The attacker's accomplice appears to be watching his back.

Both are oblivious to the visible surveillance camera directly above them.

The victim tries to fend off the attacker, kicking him several times in the face until finally, the two assailants take off and the victim gets up and goes inside for help.

"We don't believe there was a robbery motivation or theft motivation behind this specific incident, but we are concerned somebody would have such little hesitation to strike somebody and potentially kill them," Captain Aric Wheeler, Santa Fe Police Department, said.

Santa Fe Smoke Works was closed Friday afternoon when KOB Eyewitness News 4 stopped by.

Jamie Madrid is a frequent customer and had only good things to say about the injured worker.

"He's really nice, he always helps us with everything we need like he's supposed to, we always laugh and have fun," Madrid said.

But seeing video of such a brutal attack outside a popular place has Madrid feeling uneasy, knowing two dangerous men are on the loose.

"I'm a very scared chick anyway at nighttime so that's just gonna make it worse," Madrid said.

As of Friday afternoon, the employee was hospitalized in stable condition.

It is not known if there is any sort of relationship between the victim and the attackers.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Matthew Martinez at (505) 955-5060 or (505) 231-7829.