Stabbing suspect Cole Klemke was a Nebraska and Torrey Pines baseball player

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — San Diego police announced the arrest of a pregnant woman in a stabbing incident in Mira Mesa on Sunday. The attack happened Saturday morning in a busy shopping center.

The people we spoke with and who frequent the region are in shock. Today we learn more about the alleged attacker and where he grew up.

San Diego police arrested Cole Klemke, 27, after he was accused of randomly stabbing a 25-year-old pregnant woman Saturday morning around 10 a.m. while she was using a drive-thru ATM in Mira Mesa.

Police said she was stabbed three times, in the neck, left shoulder and chin.

“This was a random, unprovoked stabbing,” SDPD Detective Sergeant Eric Drilling said.

Klemke was arrested Sunday after police released surveillance photos of the man they were looking for. Police said he had been shopping at Target just before the attack.

He was arrested in Carmel Valley, where police said he resided, but he is now considered homeless.

“The stabbings are crazy, it's very unusual for the Mira Mesa area,” Linda Mauch said.

“It’s really worrying that this happened around 10 a.m., it’s crazy. I feel like there were a lot of people coming to shop, it could have been anyone,” said concerned citizen Jenna Shoemaker.

Police said the woman fought back and nearby witnesses ran to help. Authorities said the woman was recovering at home.

“She’s a fighter, she’s resilient,” said Sgt. Said Forage. “Fortunately, in this case, his carotid [artery] was not severed, but the doctor noted that it was close. This could have been a much worse attack without his resilience and ability to repel the attacker.

A representative from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln confirmed that Cole Klemke “was on our roster for the 2016 and 2017 seasons,” where he played baseball.

According to the school's website, Klemke was studying psychology and had played baseball at Torrey Pines High School, where he helped the Falcons reach the San Diego CIF semifinals.

“Named to the all-tournament team at the 2013 Perfect Game/Evoshield National Championships as a member of the Solana Beach Cardinals,” the website reads.

Police say he has had previous run-ins with law enforcement, as recently as last week when he was approached for a disturbance call.

Klemke is being held at San Diego Central Prison. He faces a charge of attempted first-degree murder. His arraignment is scheduled for Thursday afternoon.