Two Violent Stabbings Shake Imperial Beach

Incidents just blocks apart leave two men seriously injured, rattling the small coastal community.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 4:49am

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An extreme close-up of a bloody knife blade against a stark, black background, creating a gritty, investigative aesthetic that conceptually represents the violent crimes shaking the community.The violent stabbings in Imperial Beach have left the community on edge, exposing the need for greater public safety measures and emergency preparedness.San Diego Today

Two separate stabbings occurred in Imperial Beach, California on Saturday night, leaving two men seriously injured. The incidents happened within an hour and just blocks apart, though authorities say they appear unrelated. One of the victims sought help at a local brewery, where a security expert and Coast Guard veteran likely saved his life by applying pressure to the wound until paramedics arrived. The other victim was found on the sidewalk near a liquor store, with a large police presence in the area. No arrests have been made, and authorities are asking for the public's help.

Why it matters

The back-to-back stabbings have shaken the small coastal community of Imperial Beach, raising concerns about public safety and the prevalence of violent crime in the area. The quick actions of the Good Samaritan at the brewery also highlight the importance of bystander intervention and first aid training in responding to emergencies.

The details

According to authorities, the first stabbing occurred around 9 p.m. at the 13th Street Market and Liquor Store, where a man suffered a wound to his side. About an hour later, another man with a knife wound to his hand entered Mike Hess Brewing, where the general manager's husband, a security expert and Coast Guard veteran, applied pressure to the wound and likely saved the victim's life. Security footage shows the man entering the brewery, carrying a chair and using his left hand to conceal the injury.

  • The first stabbing occurred around 9 p.m. on Saturday, April 15, 2026.
  • The second stabbing happened about an hour later, around 10 p.m. on the same night.

The players

Gary Banuelos

A security expert and Coast Guard veteran who applied first aid to the victim who entered Mike Hess Brewing, likely saving his life.

Araceli Banuelos

The general manager of Mike Hess Brewing, who noticed the unusual situation and had her husband check on the injured man.

Rick Toscano

A witness who runs a gym next door to the 13th Street Market and Liquor Store, where the first stabbing occurred, and noted the unusually large police presence in the area.

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What they’re saying

“He started shaking so he was definitely going into shock said he was feeling cold.”

— Gary Banuelos, Security expert and Coast Guard veteran

“Just kept reassuring him hey helps on the way you are going to be alright.”

— Gary Banuelos, Security expert and Coast Guard veteran

“I am super proud of him I have no doubt any time I need something he is my superhero.”

— Araceli Banuelos, General Manager, Mike Hess Brewing

“Usually there is two cops on the weekend normal. This time there were 10 cops a helicopter.”

— Rick Toscano, Gym owner

“It's just sad the kind of world we live in nowadays with the crime how it is.”

— Gary Banuelos, Security expert and Coast Guard veteran

What’s next

Authorities are continuing to investigate the two separate stabbing incidents and are asking for the public's help in identifying any suspects or providing additional information.

The takeaway

The back-to-back stabbings in Imperial Beach have left the community shaken, highlighting the ongoing challenges of addressing violent crime in the area. The quick actions of the Good Samaritan at the brewery, however, demonstrate the importance of community members being prepared to provide first aid and support in emergency situations.