San Clemente police say officer stabbed during North Beach outreach; officer expected to recover, search for suspect ongoing

San Clemente officials reported an on‑duty officer sustained a non‑life‑threatening stab wound to the neck while conducting outreach near North Beach on March 18, and a multi‑agency search for the assailant was ongoing that evening.

Mayor Novak opened the March 18 meeting by informing the council and public about the incident. The mayor said Officer Amber Garcia was “escorting this gentleman … to her vehicle when he pulled a knife out and stabbed her in the neck.” The mayor said Officer Garcia was receiving medical care, the wound was not life threatening, and deputies and multiple helicopters were searching the North Beach area for the suspect.

Later in the meeting a department representative briefed council members and said the officer was recovering at home and that investigators were actively looking for the person who fled the scene. The department representative said the officer was conducting a detention when the suspect removed a knife and struck at the officer; the officer was able to defend herself, which the speaker said likely prevented a more serious outcome. The speaker added the suspect was believed to be known to law enforcement and would be taken into custody.

Council reactions: Several councilmembers publicly expressed concern and support for the officer and thanked law enforcement for their response. The council used the officer’s recovery to remind the public that outreach and safety operations can carry risks for personnel involved and to reiterate support for police, fire and marine safety staff working in the city.

Details the record contains: The stabbing occurred in the North Beach area at or near a storm channel and the train platform parking area, according to the mayor’s and department remarks. Officials said the department’s deputies, sheriff’s units and air resources were searching the area the evening of March 18. Mayor Novak and the department representative said the assailant fled the scene and is being sought; investigators had a known identity for a suspect but had not announced an arrest at the March 18 meeting.

Key quote: “The deputy that was injured … is recovering at home, with non life threatening injuries and we expect to make a full recovery,” a San Clemente law‑enforcement representative told the council.

What the council did: Councilmembers acknowledged the update and continued the agenda; council members also used the council‑report period to thank first responders and to ask staff for continued updates to the extent they are releasable publicly.

A note on public discussion during the meeting: The stabbing—and questions about concentrated homelessness and public safety at North Beach—also surfaced in council comment and multiple councilmembers said they intended to evaluate additional public‑safety measures for that area. No new policies or budget appropriations were approved during the March 18 meeting related to the incident.