Lake Elsinore Man Charged With Murder In Parking Lot Stabbing

LAKE ELSINORE, CA — A man accused of fatally stabbing a 41-year-old Lake Elsinore resident during an after-dark confrontation in a business center parking lot was charged Wednesday with murder.

Along with murder, Steven James Smith, 50, of Lake Elsinore is charged with a sentence-enhancing allegation of using a deadly weapon in the commission of a felony. He was scheduled to make a court appearance Wednesday afternoon. He is being held at French Valley's Cois Byrd Detention Center in lieu of $1 million bail.

Smith allegedly killed Fabian Rodriguez during an attack in the 31000 block of Riverside Drive, near Lakeshore Drive.

According to sheriff's Sgt. Jarred Bishop, patrol deputies were called to the location at about 9:30 p.m. Saturday to investigate reports of an assault and discovered Rodriguez suffering from "several stab wounds."

Paramedics arrived minutes later and attempted life-saving measures, but the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

Deputies were able to develop information about the suspect and where he fled. The man, later identified as Smith, was seen fleeing into an apartment complex in the 16000 block of Joy Street, where he was apprehended.

A motive for the stabbing, and the relationship between Smith and Rodriguez, if any, was not disclosed by investigators.

Court records show the defendant has unresolved misdemeanor cases pending for brandishing a deadly weapon and trespassing.