RIDGECREST, Calif. — An 18-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a violent stabbing that left a 44-year-old woman critically injured in Ridgecrest on April 24, 2025, according to the Ridgecrest Police Department.
Police received a 9-1-1 call at 6:39 a.m. reporting a woman had been attacked in the 300 block of South China Lake Boulevard. The caller provided a description of the suspect, prompting an immediate search by officers.
Sergeant Erik Hallmark spotted a man matching the description near South Sanders Street and West Church Avenue. When the officer attempted to approach, the suspect fled on foot toward the Kerr McGee Community Center.
After a brief chase, Sergeant Hallmark tackled and subdued the suspect, preventing him from grabbing a knife during the arrest. The suspect was later identified as Damahjai Kelly, 18, of Ridgecrest.
The victim, a local woman, was discovered with multiple stab wounds and was in critical condition. She received treatment from Kern County Fire personnel and Liberty Ambulance medics before being airlifted to a trauma center, where she remains in critical but stable condition.
As a precaution, James Monroe Middle School was placed on lockdown for approximately 45 minutes while authorities ensured there were no additional suspects in the area. The lockdown was later lifted.
Following his arrest and medical clearance, Kelly was booked into Kern County Jail. He faces multiple felony charges, including:
Attempted murder
Mayhem
Assault with a deadly weapon
Robbery
Resisting an executive officer
Obstructing a peace officer
Detectives are currently reviewing surveillance footage, interviewing witnesses, and working with the Kern County Crime Lab to process evidence.
Anyone with additional information about the incident is urged to contact Corporal Daniel Pietrangelo at [email protected] or call 760-499-5100.
