Teen charged as an adult for stabbing a man at a Stater Bros. parking lot

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 14WF2338: June 16, 2014

17-YEAR-OLD CHARGED AS ADULT FOR ATTEMPTED MURDER FOR STABBING MAN IN GROCERY STORE PARKING LOT

WESTMINSTER – A 17-year-old was charged as an adult today for attempted murder for stabbing a man as he was loading groceries in a parking lot. Steven Matthew Lowry, Fountain Valley, is charged with one felony count of attempted murder and one felony count of attempted carjacking with sentencing enhancements for personal use of a deadly weapon and great bodily injury. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 11 years to life in state prison. The People will be requesting he be held on $1 million bail at his arraignment tomorrow, Tuesday, June 17, 2014, at 8:30 a.m. in Department W-2, West Justice Center, Westminster.

At approximately 9:00 p.m. on June 14, 2014, Lowry is accused of approaching 50-year-old Manuel S. as the victim was loading groceries into his vehicle in a Stater Bros. parking lot in Fountain Valley. The defendant is accused of attempting to carjack the victim. When the victim refused to give up the keys to his vehicle, Lowry is accused of stabbing the victim two times in the abdomen, once in the back, and once in the chest. The defendant is accused of fleeing the scene on foot.

Witnesses in the parking lot called 911. Paramedics arrived and rushed the victim to University of California, Irvine Medical Center. Manuel S. was treated for life threatening injuries and had to undergo emergency surgeries as a result of the stab wounds.

The Fountain Valley Police Department (FVPD), who arrived at the scene and investigated this case, located the defendant on a street near the grocery store and arrested Lowry. At the time of the arrest, the defendant is accused of having blood on his hands and clothing. The investigation is ongoing.

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Tony Rackauckas, District Attorney
401 Civic Center Drive West
Santa Ana, CA 92701

Contacts:

Susan Kang Schroeder
Chief of Staff
Office: 714-347-8408
Cell: 714-292-2718

Farrah Emami
Spokesperson
Office: 714-347-8405
Cell: 714-323-4486