Turlock, California — A quiet neighborhood in Turlock was shaken late Tuesday night when a violent stabbing left one person critically injured and led to the arrest of 33-year-old Cesar Romero-Bermudez of Modesto. Police say the brutal attack was not random but a targeted assault connected to an ongoing domestic violence restraining order.
According to the Turlock Police Department, officers were dispatched to the 300 block of North Soderquist Road just after 10:15 p.m. following multiple 911 calls reporting a stabbing in progress. When officers arrived, they found a victim suffering from multiple stab wounds. The individual was bleeding heavily and in critical condition. Emergency responders quickly provided life-saving medical aid before the victim was transported to a nearby trauma center.
Investigators say witnesses at the scene identified the suspect as Cesar Romero-Bermudez, who fled before police arrived. Officers immediately launched a manhunt, securing nearby intersections and canvassing the area for surveillance footage. Within hours, Romero-Bermudez was located in Modesto and taken into custody without further incident. Authorities credited strong cooperation between the Turlock Police Department and the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office for the swift arrest.
Detectives later confirmed that the stabbing was a domestic-related incident. According to court documents, Romero-Bermudez was previously served with a restraining order prohibiting him from contacting the victim. Investigators believe he deliberately violated that order, confronting the victim and launching a frenzied knife attack before fleeing the scene.
Turlock Police Sergeant Michael Parmley stated that the evidence points to a calculated and personal act of violence. “This was not a random assault,” Parmley said during a press briefing Wednesday morning. “Our investigation shows the suspect targeted the victim in direct violation of a restraining order. We take domestic violence and protective order breaches extremely seriously.”
Following his arrest, Romero-Bermudez was booked into the Stanislaus County Jail on charges of attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, and violation of a court order. Additional charges may be filed as prosecutors review the case and await updates on the victim’s condition. Authorities said the victim remains hospitalized and is receiving intensive medical care.
The violent attack has left the Turlock community stunned and once again highlighted the dangers faced by victims of domestic violence even after legal protection is in place. Advocacy groups are urging anyone in similar circumstances to seek continued safety planning and law enforcement support. “A restraining order is a critical step, but it’s not a shield against violence,” one local domestic abuse counselor said.
Police are continuing to collect evidence, including the knife believed to have been used in the attack, which was recovered near a drainage canal less than a mile from the crime scene. Detectives are also examining phone records and surveillance footage to establish Romero-Bermudez’s movements before and after the stabbing.
Turlock officials have pledged to provide support to the victim and their family as they recover from the trauma. The case has reignited discussions on strengthening enforcement of restraining orders and improving protective measures for domestic violence victims across Stanislaus County.
The arrest of Cesar Romero-Bermudez marks a decisive moment in what police describe as a horrific but preventable act of violence. As the investigation continues, community leaders and law enforcement are calling for renewed vigilance, education, and compassion to ensure that no one else becomes a victim of domestic violence turned deadly.
