Calif. stabbing suspect allegedly plows car into students, killing one

A 24-year-old California man is accused of intentionally plowing his vehicle into a group of high school students, killing one and injuring two others, after he stabbed an employee at a Walmart.

The mayhem began in Simi Valley, where police responded to an assault in progress at a Walmart store on West Cochran Street at about 2:40 p.m. Tuesday.

A man who stabbed an employee fled by the time cops arrived, but witnesses described his vehicle — a white Toyota Camry without a front bumper — and provided the plate number, police said.

The unidentified victim was rushed to a nearby hospital with at least one stab wound.

The employee’s condition was not immediately known.

Meanwhile, Simi Valley dispatchers informed the California Highway Patrol and the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department of the crime and the fleeing suspect, police said.

At 3:15 p.m., the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department alerted Simi Valley police of a crash near Westlake High School in Thousand Oaks, where the Camry slammed into several students, fatally striking a 15-year-old boy.

Two girls, ages 15 and 16, also were hit before the car flipped over.

One suffered critical injuries and the other was slightly hurt, according to local reports.

None of the victims were immediately identified.

The suspect — identified as 24-year-old Austin Eis — was charged with murder, attempted murder, attempted robbery, resisting an executive officer, burglary and two counts of exhibiting a firearm in a threatening manner, Ventura County Sheriff’s Capt. William Hutton told the LA Times.

He said the investigation, including evidence at the scene and witness statements, led investigators to conclude the crash was intentional.

Eis had earlier driven to Camarillo and was involved in an argument with family members, officials said.

Erik Bergh, a sophomore at Westlake High School, said one of his friends was one of the victims and that he narrowly avoided being hit as well.

“I was walking with friends and I think I was turned around at that moment and then the next moment, I think I hear like, very loud, higher screeching,” he told ABC 7.

“It sounds like a car’s on the sidewalk and then I hear people screaming and running and then I turn around and I just see this big car barreling towards me and there’s debris flying everywhere,” he said.

Bergh described the horrific sight of his injured pal.

“I saw my own friend, like, lying on the ground with blood spattered on the side of him,” he told the outlet.

“I think a girl was lying down on the sidewalk, was crying and screaming she got hit.”

Conejo Valley Unified School District Superintendent Mark McLaughlin and Westlake High School Principal Jason Branham released a joint statement about the tragedy.

“During this time of unimaginable loss, our thoughts and prayers remain with these students, their families, friends, and the entire Warrior community,” they said, adding that counselors were available to the grieving school community.

“We, as a tight-knit school community and District, appreciate your support and continued care for one another at this time, and always,” they added.

Eis, whose bail was set for $5 million, is expected to be arraigned on Thursday in Ventura County.

“The motive for the attack in Simi Valley is yet to be determined, and the investigation remains ongoing. Some details regarding the investigation cannot be released due to investigative integrity at this time and the multi-jurisdictional nature of this crime,” police said.