Man Suspected of Stabbing Berkeley School Employee Nabbed in Albany [UPDATE]

BERKELEY, CA – UPDATE: TUESDAY, FEB. 21, 3:35 p.m.

Police have arrested a 20-year-old man accused of stabbing a staff member at a private Berkeley school this afternoon.

The suspect, identified as Angel Juarez, was spotted by the California Highway Patrol near Buchanan Street and Interstate Highway 880 in Albany, police said.

After witnesses positively identified Juarez as the stabbing suspect, police booked him into the Berkeley jail.

The incident began at 1:46 p.m., when officers received a report of a stabbing at Via Center, a private, special education school located at 2126 Sixth St., according to police.

The employee who stabbed was taken to a hospital. The extent of his injuries was not immediately released.

After the alleged stabbing, Juarez fled the scene and was last seen running west on University Avenue, over the Interstate Highway 880 overpass.

Because Juarez was allegedly carrying a large knife and was considered dangerous, police had asked residents in the area to shelter in place. The shelter in place advisory has since been lifted, police said.

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UPDATE: TUESDAY, FEB. 21, 3:20 p.m.

Police are searching for a 20-year-old man who fled after allegedly stabbing a staff member at a Berkeley private school this afternoon, according to police.

At 1:46 p.m., officers responded to a report of a stabbing at Via Center, a private, special education school located at 2126 Sixth St., police said.

The victim was taken to a hospital. The extent of his injuries was not immediately released.

The Berkeley Police Department, however, reportedly confirmed "that a school principal has been stabbed," KTVU stated on Twitter.

The suspect, identified as Angel Juarez, fled the scene. He was last seen running west on University Avenue, over the Interstate Highway 880 overpass, according to police.

Officers are currently searching for Juarez at nearby locations, such as Aquatic Park, the Berkeley Marina and other areas west of Berkeley.

Juarez is described as a Hispanic man with brown hair, brown eyes, 5 feet tall and 100 pounds. He was last seen wearing a long sleeve burgundy shirt, black sneakers, black pants.

Juarez is also in possession of a large knife and is considered armed and dangerous, police said.

Residents in the area are being asked to shelter in place and to report anyone matching Juarez's description.

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TUESDAY, FEB. 21, 3:14 p.m.

A search is reportedly underway this afternoon for a suspect who allegedly stabbed a Berkeley school principal.

The search is in the Berkeley Aquatic Park area near 6th Street, according to KTVU news.

The Berkeley Police Department confirmed "that a school principal has been stabbed," the organization stated today on Twitter, although details are still sparse.

--Patch will update when more information is available.

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--File photo/Bay City News contributed to this report