A tragic incident unfolded early Saturday morning in Greenfield resulting in one fatality, one injury, and the arrest of a suspect. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation reported that Greenfield police officers responded to a stabbing at 201 NE 4th St. around 12:45 a.m.
Upon arrival, officers discovered a Hispanic male, Carlos Garcia-Escalona, aged 57, in the kitchen of the residence suffering from a stab wound to the chest. Despite efforts by Adair County medics, Garcia-Escalona was pronounced dead at the scene.
Witnesses identified Yudiel Vega-Blanco, a 39-year-old resident of Greenfield, as the individual responsible for attacking two people inside the home. Vega-Blanco was arrested and faces charges of first-degree murder and willful injury, classified as Class A and Class D felonies.
Prior to the incident, it was reported that Vega-Blanco, in a moment of anger, retrieved a knife from the kitchen. Jendys Escalona-Mendoza, another individual present, attempted to disarm him, resulting in Escalona-Mendoza being pushed and sustaining a non-life-threatening abdominal injury. Subsequently, Garcia-Escalona approached Vega-Blanco and was fatally stabbed in the chest.
Other occupants managed to subdue Vega-Blanco, confiscate the knife, and restrain him until law enforcement arrived. Vega-Blanco was taken to the Adair County Jail, where he is being held on a $1,000,005 cash-only bond.
The Greenfield Police Department is receiving assistance from the Adair County Sheriff’s Office, the Adair County Attorney’s Office, and the Division of Criminal Investigation. Authorities have assured the public that this appears to be an isolated incident with no ongoing threat to the community.
This situation is under active investigation, with further updates to be provided as new information becomes available.