Tucson Police arrest suspect following ‘unprovoked stabbing’ near MSA Annex

TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) - The Tucson Police Department announced the arrest of a suspect in connection with a brutal assault near the MSA Annex on Thursday, March 5.

The TPD said 21-year-old Sylviano Joseph Garcia was arrested on March 10 on charges of attempted first-degree murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and aggravated assault with serious injury.

The TPD said that the victim was still in the hospital in critical condition as of March 11.

During Garcia’s initial court appearance, the judge called the assault “an unprovoked stabbing,” and said the victim is not expected to survive.

According to the interim complaint, Garcia and the victim knew each other and were seen walking together for at least an hour before the attack.

Investigators said Garcia stabbed the victim from behind before striking him several more times on the ground. The victim was able to get up, but Garcia allegedly pushed him down again and “struck him over 30 more times.”

Detectives said the attack was captured by a doorbell camera at a nearby home, and that the suspect and victim were seen together at a Circle K earlier in the day.

Garcia, who is being held on a $1 million bond, could face more serious charges if the victim dies.

According to the Arizona Department of Corrections, Garcia was released from a state prison a month before the brutal attack in Tucson.

Garcia was convicted of armed robbery and aggravated robbery in Pima County in 2023 and sentenced to four years. While in prison, Garcia was found guilty of several disciplinary infractions, including assault on staff, fighting, aggravated assault on an inmate, theft, and tampering with security devices.

His next court appearance is set for March 23.

It is the sixth fight with injuries 13 News has reported on in less than two weeks.

• On Feb. 24, a man was injured in a fight at a bus stop near the VA Hospital in Tucson.
• On Feb. 26, one man was injured and another was detained following a fight and stabbing near the Tucson Rodeo Parade.
• On Feb. 27, an armed man was arrested after a fight on a Sun Tran bus near Speedway and Main in Tucson.
• On March 4, a person was injured in a fight and stabbing at the Sun Tran transit center near Stone and Wetmore in Tucson.
• On March 4, a person was injured in a fight and stabbing at a gas station at 29th and Craycroft in Tucosn. The TPD said 24-year-old Felix Hill was arrested on a charge of aggravated assault.

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