Police have not released suspect information as detectives investigate what happened on K Street.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The family of 21-year-old Dustin DeWitt said they are struggling to understand how a night out in downtown Sacramento ended with his death after a stabbing near the Downtown Commons entertainment district. Police said a man died and a woman was hospitalized after the attack late Monday, and investigators have not announced an arrest.
DeWitt’s relatives described a painful search that led them to the crime scene and a growing frustration over the lack of public details. The stabbing happened in a high-traffic area near restaurants and hotels, and it put a spotlight on safety concerns in a downtown destination that draws visitors for dinner, sports and concerts. Authorities said the case remained under investigation with key facts still unknown.
Sacramento police said the double stabbing occurred about 9:45 p.m. Monday along K Street near the Downtown Commons complex, also known as DOCO. Officers responded to the area near 4th and K streets, close to the Yard House restaurant. Police said the victims were a man and a woman. Both were taken to a hospital, and the man later died from his injuries, police said. The woman suffered serious injuries but survived, according to a CBS Sacramento report, and another report described her condition as stable on Tuesday.
DeWitt’s family later identified him as the man who died. He was from Stockton, about an hour south of Sacramento. Relatives said he went downtown to meet a friend visiting from San Diego, expecting an ordinary evening. When he never came home, his family said they grew worried and checked his phone location. The location data showed him at DOCO for hours, his family said. After midnight, his mother and sister drove to downtown Sacramento, hoping to find him. Instead, they said they walked into a police scene.
His sister said the sight of patrol cars and officers created an instant feeling of dread. “We went and there was just cops everywhere,” she said in an interview. “And I just, you know, this horrible feeling.” Family members said the uncertainty has been crushing. They said they have been trying to piece together the timeline from what little they know and from what others have told them, while waiting for investigators to release more information.
Police have not released a suspect description, and they have not said whether the attacker knew the victims or whether the stabbing started from an argument or another dispute. “Exactly what led up to the stabbing remains under investigation,” a CBS Sacramento report said, summarizing what police told the station. A witness staying at a nearby Holiday Inn, Billy Smuck, told a local television station that he saw a fight outside the hotel before the stabbing. He described a group of people brawling and said that after the crowd shifted, he saw two men run away. Police have not publicly confirmed how many people were involved, and they have not identified any suspects.
For DeWitt’s family, the unanswered questions have mixed with grief for a young man they said was building a life and planning his next steps. His mother, Sokha Hem, said he had been preparing to apply for a flight attendant job and was getting his passport ready. “He had so much going on for him. He had goals,” Hem said in an interview. She described him as driven and often working more than one job. “He worked really hard,” she said. “Sometimes he would hold two jobs. He hustled.”
DeWitt worked at Dutch Bros Coffee, and his employer issued a statement mourning him. The company said it was deeply saddened by the loss of a co-worker and described him as a friend and colleague who was valued by crews and customers. Family members said he was the type of person who made others feel included. They said he brought energy into rooms, showed love openly, and had a personality that made people want to be around him.
His sister said she wants people to remember how much he cared for others and the impact he had in everyday encounters. She described him as dedicated to the people he loved. His father, David DeWitt, said the family’s grief has been paired with determination. “We want justice for Dustin, and we will not stop until we get it,” he said in an interview. The family said they hope anyone who saw the confrontation, the suspect or the moments afterward will share information with police.
The stabbing happened in a part of downtown that has become central to Sacramento’s image as a regional destination. DOCO sits near Golden 1 Center and is surrounded by hotels, parking structures, restaurants and nightlife. On event nights, crowds move through the area before and after games and concerts. Even on quieter nights, the blocks around K Street can be busy with diners and visitors. The setting has made the killing especially jarring for people who view the area as well-lit and closely watched.
Some downtown visitors said the attack left them uneasy. Sacramento resident Erline Gray said she believed the area should feel safe for everyone and wanted more security and police presence. A worker at a nearby business told a local station that safety has been a concern and questioned whether a visible police presence has made enough difference. Officials have not said whether the stabbing occurred in view of security cameras or whether investigators have recovered video that could help identify suspects.
Detectives have not announced any charges or court proceedings. Police have said the circumstances leading to the stabbing remain under investigation, and they have not released a motive. The lack of public detail is common early in homicide investigations, especially when police are still interviewing witnesses and sorting through conflicting accounts. In this case, investigators have not said whether they believe the stabbing was a single-person attack or involved multiple people, even as a witness described a broader fight.
As the family planned memorial events, supporters began raising money to help DeWitt’s relatives with expenses. A fundraiser created online drew tens of thousands of dollars in donations by Tuesday evening, according to a CBS Sacramento report. Messages posted alongside donations described DeWitt as kind and upbeat, and family members said they have leaned on the support as they face funeral planning and the shock of a sudden loss.
A vigil for DeWitt was scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday at Nelson Park in Stockton, his family said. The family said the event would be a time to gather, remember his life and share stories. They said they also hoped the vigil would keep attention on the investigation, which as of Wednesday had not produced publicly announced suspects.
Police said they want anyone who saw or heard anything in the area around 9:45 p.m. Monday to come forward. As of Wednesday morning, investigators had not released suspect information or a detailed account of what led to the stabbing. The next public milestone is expected to come when police identify a suspect, announce an arrest or release new information about what happened outside the downtown restaurants.
Author note: Last updated March 4, 2026.