Elderly Man Stabbed After Making Eye Contact on California Trail — Random Attack Sparks Safety Fears

An elderly man out for a routine walk on a popular California trail was stabbed in a sudden, unprovoked attack after making eye contact with a stranger, a case that has drawn renewed attention to public safety on shared pedestrian pathways.

The assault took place in broad daylight on the CV Link, a pathway used by walkers and low speed electric vehicles in Palm Springs.

The attacker, later identified by police as 53-year-old Jacob Ethan Masters, has now been sentenced to eight years in state prison after pleading guilty to charges linked to the violent encounter.

Daytime Attack on Public Pathway

According to a news release from the Palm Springs Police Department, officers were called to the CV Link near Cathedral Canyon Drive at around 2:40 p.m. on 31 December 2025 after receiving a report of a stabbing. The victim told emergency dispatchers he had been attacked earlier that morning while walking alone on the trail.

Investigators said the man was heading home when he noticed the same individual he had passed earlier still lingering in the area. During their initial encounter, the victim reported making brief eye contact as they walked past one another.

Victim Describes Sudden Assault

In an interview with police, the victim explained that roughly 15 minutes after the first encounter, the suspect approached him again, this time wearing a ski mask and shouting profanities. The assailant allegedly knocked the elderly man to the ground and assaulted him before fleeing the scene on foot.

Only after the struggle ended did the victim realise he had been stabbed. Despite his injuries, he managed to contact emergency services and provide details to investigators.

Hospital Treatment and Recovery

The victim was transported to a Coachella Valley hospital, where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Police confirmed he was later released and is expected to recover physically from the attack.

Authorities have not indicated that the victim and suspect had any prior relationship, describing the incident as a random and unprovoked act of violence.

Evidence Leads Police to Suspect

Detectives collected witness statements and reviewed available evidence, including a brief 1.5 second video clip that appeared to show the attacker in the area at the time of the stabbing. The footage, combined with other information, led police to identify Masters, a Palm Springs resident, as the primary suspect.

Officers located him on 11 January in the 5600 block of East Ramon Road. When they attempted to detain him, Masters fled on foot but was apprehended following a short chase. He was later booked into the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility.

Charges and Guilty Plea

Prosecutors initially filed multiple charges against Masters, including attempted murder and resisting a peace officer.

As part of a plea agreement with the Riverside County District Attorney's Office, Masters pleaded guilty to one count of cruelty to an elder adult resulting in great bodily harm, along with a sentencing enhancement for injuring a person over the age of 70.

In exchange for the guilty plea, several related charges were dropped.

Eight Year Prison Sentence

On Monday, Superior Court Judge Elizabeth Tucker ordered Masters to serve eight years in a state correctional facility. The sentence reflects the seriousness of the offence and the vulnerability of the victim, prosecutors said.

Police described the case as a stark reminder that violent incidents can occur without warning, even in familiar public spaces during daylight hours.