Lake Forest Man Arrested in Kechechian's Stabbing

Editor's Note: We bring this arrest report from outside Belmont Shore to readers due to the high traffic on it all day. This case of the O.C. coach mortally wounded in a weekend stabbing is a tragic and gripping tale by Patch colleagues who led all media.

Murder charges were filed Wednesday morning against a 28-year-old Lake Forest man who police say fatally stabbed a popular high school ice hockey coach Saturday outside a local restaurant.

Justin Alvin Masao Tombleson surrendered to authorities Monday but did not make any statements when he was arrested, Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens said this morning during a press conference in Santa Ana.

Tombleson faces one count of murder in the slaying of Elvis Kechechian of Mission Viejo and one count of attempted murder in the stabbing of 32-year-old Hossein Saidoian (also of Mission Viejo), who remains in "extremely critical condition" at Mission Hospital, according to Sheriff's Department spokesman Jim Amormino.

Kechechian's death followed a 2 a.m. argument among four men and three women at Albatros Mexican restaurant at 23591 Rockfield Blvd., near Lake Forest Drive, which spilled out into the parking lot where Kechechian and Saidoian were stabbed.

Tombleson, who according to court records has been convicted previously for battery and assault with a deadly weapon, is also charged with sentencing enhancements for the personal use of a deadly weapon, causing great bodily injury, and a prior conviction for an assault causing great bodily injury, according to authorities.

According to the Sheriff's Department, a conviction could land Tombleson a sentence ranging from 15 years up to life in state prison.

He is being held on $1 million bail and is expected to be arraigned this afternoon in Santa Ana.

Authorities allege that Tombleson stabbed Kechechian in the chest, perforating his heart, and stabbed Saidoian in the chest and arm outside of Albatros.

Authorities say Tombleson then fled the scene.

There is no indication that Kechechian and Tombleson knew each other before their encounter early Saturday morning, sheriff's Sgt. Andre Spencer said Wednesday morning.

The three women whom police have been searching for as potential witnesses to the initial altercation inside the restaurant have all been identified, Amormino said. 

At least one has been interviewed, he added.

Although police were originally searching for two suspects, Amormino said the second person is now being referred to as a witness.

Investigators say they have already interviewed 61 witnesses but are seeking others who may have information about the killing.

Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact Supervising District Attorney Investigator Randy Litwin at 714-347-8492 or the OCSD Homicide Bureau at 714-647-7055.