Quinceañera stabbing suspect charged; police ask public for video evidence | Courts and crime

A California man arrested for a fight at a quinceañera at the Walla Walla County Fairgrounds in which at least two people were stabbed now faces several criminal charges, including two felonies.

Gilberto Francisco Cuevas, 31, is charged with first-degree assault, a class A felony, and harassment with threat of death, a class C felony. He also faces gross misdemeanor charges of assault fourth degree and exhibition of a weapon.

According to court documents, deputies from the Walla Walla County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to the fairgrounds around 10:45 p.m. on Saturday, June 8, after someone called and reported a fight in progress. The caller said the people fighting were “drunk” and carrying knives, according to court documents.

Although the fairgrounds are officially owned by the county, they are completely surrounded by Walla Walla city limits.

As the deputies on duty arrived from Walla Walla, officers from the Walla Walla Police Department also responded and arrived first.

According to court documents, WWPD officers arrived to find a large group of people and several fights in progress. They immediately requested assistance from the College Place Police Department.

As the fighting continued, more agencies sent help, including the Washington State Patrol and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs police. Officers from the Milton-Freewater Police Department and deputies from the Umatilla County Sheriff's Office even crossed the state line to help.

The police restored order and began to investigate.

Court documents show that while people had different versions of what happened, several people told police that Francisco Cuevas was seen threatening people with a knife and attacking them.

One of the victims is the brother of Francisco Cuevas, who told police he did not know exactly who stabbed him.

Law enforcement officials said two people were treated at Providence St. Mary Medical Center for non-life-threatening injuries.

Francisco Cuevas is represented by Walla Walla attorney Julie Carlson Straube. He is scheduled to appear in Walla Walla County Superior Court on Monday, June 24 for arraignment.

According to the Walla Walla County Sheriff's Office press release, investigators believe some of the people who were at the Quinceañera recorded the incident on their cellphones or other cameras. The police are asking to view these recordings.

“We are asking anyone who may have information relating to this matter or who has recorded any altercations to contact Detective Sergeant. (James) Greco at 509-524-5414,” the release said.