CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A Clearlake man is in custody after stabbing a man to death early Friday morning.
Nicholas Paonessa, 20, was arrested for the murder, according to Clearlake Police.
Just before 1:30 a.m. Friday Clearlake Police officers were dispatched to a report of a stabbing at Flyers Gas station, located at 15010 Lakeshore Drive in Clearlake, police said.
Officers responded to the scene and located a male victim with numerous apparent stab wounds to his upper torso. Medical personnel arrived on scene and rendered first aid to the victim, who police said was then transported to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital via air ambulance.
Witnesses on scene advised the victim attempted to intervene in a dispute between Paonessa and a female, later identified as 23-year-old Rosalinda Castaneda of Clearlake, according to police.
Police said the male victim and Paonessa got into a verbal argument along with several other subjects. The male victim and Nicholas got into a physical confrontation resulting in the apparent stabbing.
Witnesses reported that Paonessa then fled the scene on foot west on Palmer Avenue, police said.
Police are not releasing the male victim’s name pending notification of the family.
Flyers Gas Station and a small portion of Old Highway 53 were closed for several hours for processing of the crime scene, police said.
Officers searched for several hours and located Paonessa at 14500 block of Lakeshore Drive. Police said he was taken into custody without incident.
Paonessa is currently in custody for homicide, police said. The case is ongoing and more charges are forthcoming.
Citizens are encouraged to contact Det. Ryan Peterson at 707-994-8251, Extension 320 if they have any information regarding this incident.