Fresno police arrest suspect in fatal stabbing of 48-year-old man

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Fresno police are investigating the murder of a 48-year-old man in the central portion of the city.

Officers arrested William Gideons, 25, of Fresno after they say he went on a violent rampage early Saturday morning. He's accused of assaulting his mother-in-law, then stabbing the victim in the street, and later trying to rob someone at knifepoint near Lamona Avenue and Fresno Street.

The homicide victim was found around 2 a.m. near Floradora Avenue and Thesta Street. First responders tried to revive him, but he died at the scene. The man's name has not yet been released, and investigators have not said if he knew the suspect.

Police say Gideons, who was still armed with a knife, challenged officers to kill him near Carmen Avenue and Fresno Street, which is when they used a less-lethal shotgun and Taser on him. He was then taken into custody and booked into the Fresno County Jail on suspicion of murder, attempted robbery and resisting arrest.

This is the city of Fresno's 16th homicide this year. At this time last year, there were 21.