SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. – A San Bernardino man and his wife were arrested for the stabbing death of a homeless woman.
On Thursday, April 4, 2019, at around 9:03 a.m., the police responded to a 911 call regarding a stabbing on 9th Street between Mountain View and Arrowhead Avenues. When they arrived at the scene they found Vanissa Brooks, 41, lying on the sidewalk suffering from a stab wound. Medics responded to the scene and transported Brooks to a nearby hospital where she died as a result of her injuries. Homicide investigators responded to the scene to assume the investigation.
The investigation revealed that Claude Smith and his wife, Shirley Smith argued with Brooks over a vehicle. During the dispute, the two women began fighting physically. Claude Smith got involved in the fight and stabbed the victim, Vanissa Brooks. After both Claude and Shirley Smith fled the scene in a vehicle. Authorities attempted to locate the suspects and eventually found both at a Fontana hospital. The two were arrested without incident.
The investigation is ongoing, anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Sawyer at (909)384-5630 or Sergeant Mahan at (909) 384-5613.
