Suspect in California birthday party stabbing arrested in South Lake Tahoe

Santa Rosa police have identified the homicide suspect arrested near Tahoe Valley Elementary School Wednesday afternoon.

El Dorado County Sheriff's SWAT team, with the help of South Lake Tahoe and Santa Rosa police, entered a house on South Shore Drive and arrested 24-year-old Santa Rosa, Calif., resident Edward Scuitto on suspicion of murder, attempted murder and two gang enhancements, according to a Santa Rosa Police Department press statement.

Police suspect Scuitto is one of three men involved in an April 24 attack at a birthday party on Pearblossom Drive in Santa Rosa. The party was interrupted by uninvited guests and four people were stabbed on the front lawn of the residence, according to police. The suspects fled in a red or burgundy colored Acura following the incident.

At least three of the victims were taken to the hospital following the incident. Santa Rosa resident Bounnie Dohangmeechit, 25, died of his injuries shortly after the stabbing.

On Sunday, Santa Rosa police arrested Santa Rosa resident Cesar Chavez, 21, on suspicion of murder, two counts of attempted murder and two gang-related enhancements in connection with the incident.

Santa Rosa resident Jessica Morell, 21, was also placed under arrest on suspicion of being an accessory after a felony and two gang-related enhancements.

Chavez was being held without bail in Sonoma County Jail and Morell was booked with a bail of $250,000.

Scuitto did not resist arrest and did not have a weapon at the time of his arrest in South Lake Tahoe Wednesday, said South Lake Tahoe police Lt. David Stevenson.

Scuitto was booked into El Dorado County jail in South Lake Tahoe Wednesday. He is being held without bail.

Police locked down Tahoe Valley Elementary School at 1:10 p.m. because of its proximity to the arrest and officers were placed at the school as an extra precaution, Stevenson said.

The lock down was lifted at 1:45 p.m. after the suspect was taken into custody.

Outstanding suspects are still being sought. The Sonoma County Alliance, has offered a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest of additional suspects in this case.

Police ask anyone with information regarding this investigation to contact Detective Thomas Peirsol or Sgt. Steven Fraga of the Santa Rosa Police Department's Violent Crimes Team at (707) 543-3590.