Walmart Murder Suspect Charged In Christmas Stabbing

SANTA ANA, CA — A 22-year-old Washington man, accused in a fatal stabbing behind a Walmart Supercenter in Santa Ana a week before last Christmas, made his initial court appearance Monday on a murder charge.

Joshua Dean Smith, who was taken into custody in Orange County on Friday, was charged Aug. 18 with murder with a sentencing enhancement for the personal use of a deadly weapon, according to court records.
Smith is accused of killing 41-year-old Dennis Quan Tran, according to Santa Ana police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna. The motive is unclear, he said.

A security guard at the store at 3600 W. McFadden Ave. found the victim dying in the early hours of Dec. 18.

Smith, whose arraignment was rescheduled to Oct. 20, is being held on $1.1 million bail at the Theo Lacy Facility.

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