Stabbing victim in downtown Fresno dies days later. Suspect seen on video arrested

Fresno police detectives have arrested a homicide suspect in a deadly downtown stabbing last week.

Police in an update Monday said detectives on Saturday arrested 58-year-old Manuel Espinoza at a home in central Fresno. He was booked into Fresno County Jail on suspicion of murder.

Police suspect Espinoza in the June 6 stabbing of 48-year-old Ismael Montes. Police believe Montes was stabbed in the neck downtown on M Street near the Fresno County Jail.

Montes was hospitalized at Community Regional Medical Center, where he died June 9, police said Monday.

Detectives recovered surveillance footage that showed Espinoza at the crime scene.

Espinoza previously was arrested in 1987 as the suspect who killed another man, police said Monday.

Detectives are seeking the public’s help for additional information in the homicide. Anyone with information can remain anonymous when calling Crime Stoppers at 559-498-7867. Tipsters can also contect Fresno homicide detective Rudy Montoya at 559-621-2449 or detective Miguel Alvarez at 559-621-2441 and reference case #2206060143.

This story was originally published June 13, 2022 at 12:58 PM.

Brianna Vaccari

The Fresno Bee

559-441-6166

Brianna Vaccari covers Fresno City Hall for The Bee, where she works to hold public officials accountable and shine a light on issues that deeply affect residents’ lives. She previously worked for The Bee’s sister paper, the Merced Sun-Star, and earned her bachelor’s degree from Fresno State.