Fresno County leaders demand changes after a senior prosecutor was stabbed

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Fresno County leaders are calling for justice after a senior prosecutor was stabbed Thursday afternoon at Courthouse Park in Downtown Fresno.

Fresno County District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp sharply criticized state policies following the attack, which left one of her senior prosecutors stabbed three times at Courthouse Park.

"This day is an example of the failure of the state of California," Smittcamp said.

Sheriff John Zanoni said the stabbing is one of several violent crimes that have occurred in the downtown area. He said residents can expect to see more deputies at Courthouse Park following Thursday's attack.

Smittcamp said the incident extends beyond Fresno County.

"This isn't a Fresno problem. This is a state of California problem," she said.

RELATED: Fresno prosecutor was targeted in retaliatory Courthouse Park stabbing, DA Smittcamp says

Authorities arrested a suspect identified as 42-year-old Dustin Crawford. Despite the arrest, the attack has left community members and county workers on edge.

"There are concerns about security. Making sure that the public has access to this park, they can get access to county services while remaining safe," said Supervisor Nathan Magsig, who represents Fresno County's District 5.

County supervisors said they are exploring policies aimed at preventing similar incidents in the future.

"So we're going to be working on a policy with our district attorney, with our sheriff, that makes something that works for our community, that works for, more importantly, for our prosecutors," said Supervisor Luis Chavez, who represents District 3.

Courthouse Park is home to several county and state buildings, including the current Fresno County Courthouse. Chavez said plans for a future courthouse create an opportunity for the state and county to work together on safety improvements.

"To integrate more access points and entryways. What I would like to personally see is an area, understanding that the state has their own rules, the county has their own rules, but to allow our prosecutors to carry a weapon as they travel from their office that is across the street into the courthouse," Chavez said.

Smittcamp said she believes Crawford targeted the deputy district attorney involved in the case. She added that the victim prosecuted Crawford's attempted murder case in 2016.

"It shouldn't take the stabbing of a prosecutor for people to take notice that there is no accountability and no responsibility to violent criminals, for violent criminals in our community," Smittcamp said.

The Tulare County District Attorney's Office will prosecute the case and determine what charges Crawford could face.

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