FOLSOM – the case of a Folsom man who attacked his aunt and infant cousin made national news last week when Police arrived at the scene, and ended up killing the 20-year-old assailant. The Folsom PD have released new information about the incident, which occurred last Thursday, August 7.
Investigators have determined that Jose M Reyes-Torres arrived at the apartment home on Montrose Drive, a residential neighborhood in central Folsom, near the St. John the Baptist Catholic and Mt. Olive Lutheran Churches. He was armed with two knives, and began to attack the people in the home, who were all related to him. He repeatedly stabbed his aunt, Arela Aguilar, who suffered serious wounds, and later required emergency surgery.
Police were called at around 2:30 in the afternoon while the attacks were occurring. Meanwhile, Reyes-Torres pushed past another family member who tried to stop him, and attacked with his knives the 6-month-old baby, Roberto Valera. After inflicting what turned out to be fatal wounds on the infant son of the woman he had just attacked, he looked for others in the home. He came outside the apartment building, and was confronted by the first arriving police officer. He charged toward the officer on foot, yelling profanities while covered in blood and wielding his knife. The officer ordered him to stop, and fired one shot when he didn’t. He was taken into custody while wounded from the gunshot, but continued to fight while the first and other arriving officers tried to control him.
The baby victim, Roberto Valera
Responding emergency medical units treated and transported Reyes-Torres and his two victims to the hospital. He and the infant were both pronounced dead there. Aguilar is said to be recovering and is in stable condition after her surgery. Investigators continue to search for details and possible motives in the case.
The family of the two victims has requested privacy as they deal with the tragic consequences, and have provided the attached photo of the baby Roberto Valera. A memorial fund has been set up at the Folsom Lake Bank at 905 Sutter Street, Suite 100, Folsom, CA 95630, in the name of Roberto David Valera.
