Man accused of stabbing mom, 2 daughters while they were asleep inside Mesa apartment

Mother, 2 daughters stabbed in 'random attack'

A suspect admitted to law enforcement that he violently stabbed a Mesa mother and her two children while they were sleeping.

MESA, Ariz. - A suspect is in custody after allegedly admitting to violently stabbing a Mesa mother and her two daughters while they were sleeping.

All three victims, who were left with extensive stab wounds, are expected to recover.

The backstory:

On Sept. 17, Mesa Police say a woman and her 16-and 18-year-old daughters were asleep inside an apartment near Dobson and Broadway Roads when a man got inside and attacked the 16-year-old. Police say the suspect also stabbed the teen's mother and her 18-year-old sister.

The teen was able to flee the apartment and call for help. All three victims were taken to a hospital for treatment.

What we know:

Lowell Tucker Dorn, 22, was charged with three counts of attempted second-degree murder. In court on September 18, the state said Dorn was a stranger to the victims and entered their home with the intent to kill.

"A random, ferocious attack on vulnerable people in the middle of the night with the intent to murder them," a judge said during Dorn's court appearance.

"He allegedly admitted that he entered the residence with the intent to kill the victims, who were strangers to him.. He also admitted that he has significant urges to hurt or kill people."

The documents also state the victims were collectively stabbed in the neck, face, arms, and legs.

The youngest daughter woke up with Dorn on top of her. The victims fought back, using a hammer to strike Dorn, who then ran off.

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Mother, 2 daughters stabbed by suspect at Mesa apartments: PD

Police say a woman and her two daughters were asleep inside an apartment near Dobson and Broadway Roads on Sept. 17 when they were stabbed by an unknown suspect, who remains on the loose.

"This court strongly believes you would be standing here on a triple homicide charge if some of these stabs you alleged to have deliberately, repeatedly, and viciously committed had landed in more critical locations," the judge told Dorn. 

The youngest daughter was woken up with Dorn on top of her. The mother and daughters put up a fight, used a hammer, and struck Dorn, who ran off from the scene.

What they're saying:

"And for no specific reason at all, and that makes you very, very dangerous," said the judge.

Police were able to find the suspect after he left a trail of blood throughout the apartment complex and was caught on camera. Dorn was later arrested in Tempe.

"Although Dorn had very little contact with police previously, the Tempe Police Department had received several calls involving Dorn following the morning’s events," police said.

Investigators say there were no signs of forced entry and believe the suspect entered through an unlocked door. In a post-arrest interview, Dorn admitted to the attack, telling police he is mentally ill and was high on PCP.

Mesa triple stabbing suspect arrested

A man accused of stabbing a woman and her daughters while they were asleep inside an apartment near Dobson and Broadway Roads has been arrested.

What's next:

The judge stated this could have easily been mass murder. Calling Dorn a danger to the public, the judge ordered Dorn to be held on a $2 million cash-only bond.

Map of where the stabbing happened