California man charged in 'random' July 4th stabbing attack that left 2 dead, 3 injured

A man suspected in a brutal Fourth of July stabbing attack in Southern California that killed two people and injured three others was charged with murder on Tuesday.

Logan Christopher Kelley, 26, of Redondo Beach, California, was charged with two counts of felony murder, three felony counts of attempted murder, one felony count of assault with a deadly weapon, and one count of battery on a police officer, according to a statement from the Orange County District Attorney’s office.

The attack occurred just after 11 p.m. in the town of Huntington Beach when Kelley allegedly approached a group of people who were watching fireworks and began stabbing people with a knife.

Orange County prosecutors identified the deceased at Eric Hodges, 42, who was stabbed in the heart, and William Collins, 47, who was stabbed in the lung and neck. Three other victims, two 35-year-old men, and a 68-year-old man were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. Kelley was also charged with assaulting a 16-year-old who helped restrain him immediately after the attack.

Mass shooting:Philadelphia mass shooting leaves 8 people injured, 1 dead; no arrests made, police say

'Random attack': Suspect had no connection to stabbing victims

Kelley, who officials said had no prior relationship with any of the victims, had been drinking and taking hallucinogenic drugs before the stabbing.

“A day of celebrating America and all the freedoms we all enjoy turned into deadly chaos at the hands of a stranger,” Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said in a statement on Tuesday. “We as Americans should be able to enjoy spending time with our friends and families without worrying about being brutally stabbed in the street in a random attack.” 

The murder charges against Kelley are considered “special circumstances” that make him eligible for the death penalty if convicted.

Max Hauptman is a Trending Reporter for USA TODAY. He can be reached at MHauptman@gannett.com