Man dead after stabbing at Central Fresno apartment

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Fresno police responded to reports of an accidental stabbing early Monday morning, but now they're saying that story doesn't add up with the evidence they have.

The call came in around 4 a.m. When officers arrived at the apartment complex near Vassar and San Pablo avenues in Central Fresno, they found a man dead with multiple stab wounds.

"But as officers went out there, detectives, physical evidence wasn't jiving with the story," said Lt. Mark Salazar with the Fresno Police Department.

A 34-year-old woman lives at the apartment, who police say was the man's on- and off-again girlfriend. They say the original call either came from her or another woman who was in the apartment at the time. Both women were taken downtown for questioning Monday afternoon.

Meanwhile, the coroner's office is conducting an autopsy on the man, who police say was a 47-year-old African American man.

"It's a death investigation, and right now I'm leaning toward it being a murder," said Salazar.

Police had the scene taped off into the afternoon. As the death investigation continued, the Department of Justice collected the physical evidence.

"They're experts in recovering physical evidence whether it be blood, whether it be even on weapons sometimes," said Salazar.

Neighbors on this block were shocked by the news. One said the man and the woman would have occasional fights, and police did confirm there was an argument of some kind before the stabbing, but they say there's no history of domestic violence.

The coroner's office will release the man's identity after the autopsy is complete.

Action News did ask Fresno police if any arrests are expected on Monday, and they say it's too early to say.