Martinez stabbing suspect freed a day earlier before deadly attack

Officers arrested Iriarte-Valdez again on Friday at his home. Bail was set at $1.1 million as detectives continued to investigate the killing. Police have not said what led to the attack or whether the two men knew each other. That lack of a clear motive has left neighbors and investigators trying to piece together how a man released from custody one day could be linked to such a violent death the next.

Police Chief Andrew White said people could “sleep a little bit safer tonight” knowing the suspect was in custody, but he also pointed to the loss suffered by Stewart’s family, calling him a husband and father who is no longer alive. The case has drawn attention because it combines a violent street killing with a criminal history that included burglary allegations and a home detention violation just before the attack.

Neighbors told KTVU that Stewart had lived in the area for more than 30 years and had recently finished renovations on his home. A friend described him as mild-mannered and helpful, saying it was still hard to believe he was gone and that he expected to see him outside waving. The Martinez stabbing suspect case now raises broader questions for readers about public safety, repeat offenders and how quickly a person can move from custody to the street to another serious charge. What happens next will depend on the murder investigation and the court proceedings tied to Iriarte-Valdez’s latest arrest.