Hesperia Man Arrested for Stabbing at a Highland Bar Leaving One Dead

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HIGHLAND, Calif. – A 29-year-old Hesperia man was arrested for a stabbing that killed one man and injured another.

On Thursday, February 14, 2019, at around 8:03 p.m. deputies responded to the JJ’s Sports Bar, located at 7955 Webster Street in Highland for the report of a stabbing. When they arrived, they found Michael Froelich, 37, of San Bernardino lying outside of the bar unresponsive and suffering from stab wounds. A second victim, a 38-year-old Rialto man, was located inside the bar also suffering from stab wounds. Both victims were rushed to the hospital, where Froelich was pronounced deceased just before 9:29 p.m. the second victim remains hospitalized with his condition unknown at this time.

Homicide Detectives conducted an investigation and learned that the two victims were outside of the bar when Eric Damian Malone stabbed the two men and left the area. There is no known motive for the stabbing at this time. Malone was arrested at his Hesperia home in the 10300 block of Redlands Avenue. He was booked at the High Desert Detention Center and is being held in lieu of $1 million. He is scheduled to be arraigned on Wednesday, February 20, 2019, at the San Bernardino Superior Court.
No additional information is being released at this time. Updates will be issued as new information becomes available. Anyone with information related to this investigation is urged to contact the Specialized Investigations Division, Detective Narcie Sousa at (909)387-3589. Callers can remain anonymous and contact WeTip at (800)78-CRIME or www.wetip.com.