Man Sentenced For Hate Crime, Attempted Murder In Carlsbad Stabbing Of Black Victim

CARLSBAD, CA — A man who violently attacked a Black man at a Carlsbad homeless shelter was sentenced Thursday to nine years in prison.

Jeremy Willis, 52, pleaded guilty to attempted murder and a hate crime allegation. He admitted to stabbing the victim multiple times in December 2023 at La Posada de Guadalupe shelter.

Willis, who is white, called the victim the n-word and made other derogatory racial comments while stabbing him at the homeless shelter, according to the San Diego County District Attorney's Office.

A co-defendant, Scott Williams, tried to prevent a witness from alerting shelter staff, the District Attorney's Office said. He pleaded guilty to dissuading a witness and was sentenced last week to 16 months in prison.

"Hate against one group is a threat to everyone and we won't tolerate these crimes in our community," San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan said in a statement. "Anyone considering committing a hate crime should think again as they will be investigated, prosecuted and held accountable under the law."