CLEARLAKE — A Clearlake man is in custody after he allegedly stabbed another man, who was later pronounced dead, during an altercation early Friday morning at Flyers gas station in Clearlake, the Clearlake Police Department (CPD) stated.
The suspect, Nicholas Paonessa, 20, of Clearlake, reportedly ran away from the area after allegedly stabbing the victim, whose name was not released pending notification of family members, according to a press release issued by the CPD.
The incident occurred at about 1:30 a.m. at the Flyers gas station on Lakeshore Drive, when the victim intervened in a dispute between Paonessa and a woman identified as 20-year-old Rosalinda Castaneda, also of Clearlake.
When CPD officers arrived, the victim had sustained numerous apparent stab wounds to his upper torso, the press release stated. Medical personnel arrived on scene and performed first aid to the victim before he was transported to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital via air ambulance. He was later declared dead.
The victim and Paonessa allegedly got into a verbal argument along with several other people. They then got into a fight with each other that resulted in the stabbing, according to the CPD. Witnesses reported Paonessa then ran west on Palmer Avenue.
Officers searched the area for several hours and found Paonessa at the 14500 block of Lakeshore Drive, the press release stated. Paonessa was taken into custody without incident. He is currently in custody on a murder charge. The case is ongoing and more charges are forthcoming. ?
Flyers gas station and a small portion of Old Highway 53 were closed for several hours for processing of the crime scene.
People are encouraged to contact CPD Det. Ryan Peterson at 994-8251 ext. 320 with any information regarding the incident.
