City of Malibu Responds To Dan Blocker Beach Stabbing Incident

MALIBU, CA — The City of Malibu responded to an incident that occurred at Dan Blocker Beach resulting in Lost Hills police arresting two men for allegedly attacking a third man with a machete.

The victim, who was not identified, was airlifted to a local hospital and is now recovering from wounds on the upper torso and hand, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and City of Malibu.

"We were shocked to hear of this vicious, unprovoked attack on innocent visitors who came to Malibu for a peaceful day of fishing at one of our local beaches, and we send our thoughts and best wishes for a full recovery to the victims and their families,” said Mayor Paul Grisanti, according to a media release from the city. “On behalf of the City Council, I want to thank our local Sheriff’s deputies for their quick response to remove the suspects before they could harm anyone else.”

Police have identified the arrested men as Richard Franck, charged with attempted murder, mayhem and assault with a deadly weapon, and Benjamin Mast, charged with accessory to murder. Police said both men are without housing. Police recovered the weapon at the scene, police said.

The victim was with four family members when two people approached him and began a verbal fight, police said. One of the men took out a machete and cut the victim, police said. The two men then chased the family, police said.