SAN JOSE, Calif. (KRON) — A San Jose man allegedly went on a violent rampage targeting random victims across two South Bay cities Thursday that resulted in three homicides, according to the San Jose and Milpitas police departments.
The triple homicide suspect was identified as Kevin Parkourana, 31, of San Jose. Parkourana was arrested near Milpitas High School’s graduation ceremony Thursday after he was tracked by a K-9 unit. He was behind bars with no bail on Friday, inmate records show.
All of Parkourana’s victims — including three people who lost their lives and several more who were severely injured — were randomly attacked, San Jose Police Chief Anthony Mata said. Detectives are still trying to establish a motive behind the crime spree’s “random acts of violence,” Mata said.
“When senseless acts of random violence happen … it affects all of us,” Milpitas Police Chief Jared Hernandez said.
Parkourana is a repeat offender with a lengthy rap sheet and several prior convictions. He was out on parole when the rampage began at 3:11 p.m. Thursday.
The first victim was stabbed and carjacked on Dellwood Way in South San Jose, Deputy Chief Steve Lagorio said. Parkourana stole the victim’s Honda minivan and drove to Hillsdale Avenue, Lagorio said.
On Hillsdale Avenue at 3:31 p.m., he stabbed a second victim and stole the victim’s Honda Pilot SUV, according to Mata. Parkourana then intentionally crashed the SUV into a pedestrian, Lagorio said.
At 4 p.m., Parkourana drove to downtown San Jose and intentionally crashed into another motorist at 10th and Santa Clara streets, Lagorio said. Parkourana stabbed the driver and fled the scene, Lagorio said.
All three stabbing victims were rushed to hospitals with life-threatening injuries while the assailant was still at-large.
At 4:12 p.m., Parkourana was still behind the wheel of the Honda Pilot SUV when he intentionally ran over three pedestrians in downtown San Jose on 16th and Santa Clara streets, Lagorio said.
“The suspect had deliberately driven toward the pedestrians in order to collide with them,” Sgt. Jorge Garibay wrote. Two of the pedestrians died at the scene, and the third pedestrian survived.
An officer, who was patrolling the area, spotted the suspect vehicle fleeing the downtown hit-and-run scene. “It was later determined that the suspect vehicle was related to multiple violent incidents that occurred throughout the city,” Sgt. Garibay wrote.
Parkourana rammed the stolen SUV into a motorized scooter in the Alum Rock area before fleeing out of San Jose, Lagorio said.
Around 4:30 p.m., Parkourana continued his crime spree in Milpitas, according to Milpitas Police Chief Jared Hernandez. A 27-year-old Milpitas man was stabbed to death in the parking lot of Smart & Final Extra at 401 Jacklin Road.
The Milpitas High School graduation ceremony was underway nearby. Detectives decided to provide security inside the graduation ceremony by positioning officers inside the event, rather than call off the ceremony and evacuate hundreds of people, Hernandez said. This decision was made as the best possible option to maintain public safety, given rapidly evolving circumstances, Chief Hernandez said.
Parkourana hid from officers until a K-9 unit tracked his location to Arizona Avenue and Midwick Drive. He was found at 6:15 p.m. near the Milpitas High School graduation ceremony, and was taken into custody.
“This violent suspect was taken into custody, ending the possibility of further bloodshed,” Police Chief Mata said.
When a reporter asked if Parkourana was under the influence of drugs during the rampage, Mata said, “We will get the (toxicology) results later on.” Detectives are currently digging into Parkourana’s mental health, substance abuse, and prior criminal history in an attempt to establish a motive.
Parkourana was booked into Santa Clara County Main Jail on a slew of charges, including homicide, attempted homicide, and carjacking.
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan said, “(Police) prevented further catastrophe. I am heartbroken by what took place in our city. There are really no words that can convey the depth of our sorrow to the families of the victims. San Jose mourns with you. This awful incident shows how much more work we have to do, to make sure our cities are safe.”
SJPD Homicide Unit detectives are teamed up with the Milpitas Police Department to investigate Thursday’s crime spree spanning two cities. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Martinez #3934 or Detective Jize #4324 via email: 3934@sanjoseca.gov and/or 4324@sanjoseca.gov, or call 408-277-5283.