Teen Fatally Stabs Older Brother In Encinitas: Sheriff's Department

ENCINITAS, CA — A teenager stabbed his older brother to death in Encinitas, authorities said Tuesday.

A 17-year-old is accused of stabbing his 19-year-old brother around 10:11 p.m. Saturday in the 300 block of Sprucewood Drive in Encinitas, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department. The brothers were reportedly involved in an altercation in the front yard of the home when the stabbing happened.

Deputies found the victim, later identified as Miguel Mozo-Hernandez of Encinitas, with a stab wound to his abdomen, Lt. Michael Krugh said. He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

An autopsy was completed Monday.

"The preliminary cause of death is a stab wound to the abdomen and the manner of death is homicide," Krugh said.

The victim's brother was found about a half-mile away, Krugh said. The teen was arrested on suspicion of homicide and booked into custody at Juvenile Hall.

"At this stage of the investigation, the motivation and circumstances of the crime are still under investigation," Krugh said. "There are no outstanding suspects and no apparent danger to the community."

Anyone with any information about the case was asked to call the sheriff's Homicide Unit at 858-285-6330 or 858-565-5200. Anonymous tips can be made to San Diego County Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.