Suspect arrested in fatal stabbing in El Cajon

A 29-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder for allegedly fatally stabbing another man on Saturday during an altercation in an El Cajon apartment complex parking lot, police said.

The altercation occurred about 5:30 p.m. on South Sunshine Avenue near West Renette Avenue, police Lt. Eric Thornton said.

“During the altercation, one of the males stabbed the other male, causing severe injury,” Thornton said in a press release. “The victim was transported to the hospital, where he later died. The suspect was located on scene and was arrested.”

Police said they arrested Stephen Mathews Coney, who is a La Mesa resident. He was being held without bail in county jail on suspicion of murder, according to jail records.

The name of the 59-year-old victim, an El Cajon resident, was not released.

It was not known if the two men knew each other or what led up to the altercation. No other details were immediately available.

Anyone with information regarding the assault was urged to contact the El Cajon Police Department at 619-579-3311 or Crime Stoppers at www.sdcrimestoppers.org.

Staff Writer Karen Kucher contributed to this report.