On December 8, Diana Paxson and her son Ian were stabbed by extended family member Bryon DeCles after he broke through the front door of their home. Immediately after the attack was reported Berkeley police warned residents to shelter in place – a warning lifted three hours later. They are still looking for the assailant.

Diana Paxson said in a public Facebook post:

First, my son Ian and I are back from the hospital and sore but functional.

As many of you already know, on Friday evening Ian and I were both wounded when Byron DeCles, a member of our extended family, broke through the front door, slashing wildly with a small knife. Ian had 8 or 9 cuts, 5 needing sutures, requiring a few sutures. The most dangerous hit his left ear but did not touch the ear drum. I got 2 needing a few sutures, a shallow slice on my neck and one that nicked the left temporal artery, resulting in a remarkable amount of blood on the floor.I am now coming to terms with the fact that although my wounds are shallow, they were in very vulnerable places, and am very grateful for Divine Protection.

Ians shoulder was injured when Byron threw a 2×4 we had been using to brace the door at him. He then ran off. The police put out an alert and there are warrants for his arrest. Also phots from our security camera. While Ian grappled with Byron, I held a wad of paper towels to my head with my left hand I managed to dial 911 with my right. The police came quickly, and I got my first ambulance ride.

The CBS News report added:

…Police identified a suspect, Byron DeCles, who is described as a 5-foot-8, 23-year-old white male with blonde hair. He was last seen wearing a brown or red hoodie, black pants, a black hat and a large black backpack….

…Police advise anyone who sees DeCles not to approach him as he is suspected to be armed with a cutting device, and to call 911….

UPDATE 12/12/2023: Byron DeCles was arrested by Oakland police on December 12 and charged with attempted murder. More information in item #1 here.