Homeless with history of violence fatally stabs New Mexico officer 'For no reason whatsoever'

A New Mexico police officer is dead after he was fatally stabbed by a homeless felon with a history of mental illness and violence.

Las Cruces Officer Jonah Hernandez, 35, was stabbed to death by Armando Silva while responding to a trespassing report at a local business Sunday evening.

“When he arrived, Armando Silva immediately attacked him with a large kitchen knife,” said Police Chief Jeremy Story.

“For no reason whatsoever, Silva killed Officer Hernandez.”

The 29-year-old then tried to attack a bystander who grabbed a firearm from their vehicle and shot him dead.

“Silva had a long history of violent crime and mental illness,” Story added.

The bystander used Hernandez’s radio to seek help reporting the “unprovoked attack.” Hernandez was declared dead at a nearby hospital.

“Officer Jonah Hernandez was a compassionate and dedicated officer who was out doing his job while most of us were watching the Super Bowl,” Story said.

“Jonah was attacked while making contact with the subject of a trespassing call. This sudden and unprovoked attack took the life of an officer, a husband, a father, brother, son, a friend, and a great young man.”