44-year-old man stabbed to death on Halloween in central Fresno identified

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The man who was stabbed to death in central Fresno on Halloween has been identified as 44-year-old Manuel Lopez.

The murder happened after 8 p.m. on Griffith and Blackstone avenues.

Officers said surveillance footage showed Lopez and 43-year-old Ashton Dejean got into a fight that led to Dejean stabbing him.

Lopez was stabbed multiple times. He was rushed to Community Regional Center, where he died from his injuries.

Police say they got footage of Dejean going inside the nearby Carl's Jr. and changing clothes.

According to Fresno County Jail records, Dejean was detained and later arrested near the Hotel Fresno. He is expected to be charged with murder and resisting arrest.

"It should be noted that our victim in this incident has minimal criminal history. The individual who was arrested, Ashton Dejean, has prior felony convictions for both domestic violence and weapons violations," said Lt. Brian Valles with the Fresno Police Department's Homicide Unit.

Authorities say Lopez and Dejean lived at a treatment facility. The relationship between the two men is unclear, and police are asking anyone with more information to call Crime Stoppers 559-498-STOP.

This was the 18th homicide in the City of Fresno in 2025.