Lakeland Village Group Home Stabbing: Man Charged With Attempted Murder

A probationer accused of stabbing a man during a religious activity at a group home near Lake Elsinore was charged today with attempted murder and other felonies.

Jiles Michael Kamal, 29, was arrested about 6 p.m. Wednesday after he allegedly attacked a man at a house at 18949 Grand Ave. in Lakeland Village, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

Along with attempted murder, Kamal is charged with assault resulting in great bodily injury and a sentence-enhancing allegation of using a deadly weapon in the commission of a felony. The defendant, who's being held in lieu of $1 million bail at the Southwest Detention Center in Murrieta, is slated to make his initial court appearance this afternoon at the Southwest Justice Center.

Sheriff's officials allege that Kamal and another man were taking part in a religious ceremony, the nature of which wasn't disclosed, when the defendant suddenly pulled a knife and stabbed another member of the group home.

Witnesses intervened and came to the aid of the victim, who was seriously hurt, according to sheriff's Sgt. David Cardoza.

He said deputies were called to the location and arrested Kamal without incident. The victim, whose identity was not released, was taken to a hospital, where he underwent surgery.

According to Cardoza, the man is now in recovery and expected to pull through.

Court records show that Kamal has a felony conviction for illegal possession of controlled substances and a misdemeanor conviction for being in possession of a concealed weapon. He was sentenced to 36 months probation in the latter case last December.

—City News Service