‘Ax-wielding’ homicide suspect identified by Pueblo police

Pueblo police have identified the man who allegedly went on an attack spree Tuesday night near Bessemer Park that left three people injured and one person dead.

According to Pueblo police, 34-year-old Jacob Martinez faces three charges of attempted murder, and he's the main suspect in a homicide after a man was found dead in a yard near the other attacks.

A mugshot for Martinez hasn't been released yet.

According to a news release from Pueblo police, the first attack happened around 5:27 p.m. near 1400 Spruce Street. Police say Martinez attacked the victim with an axe, and the victim sustained injuries.

Then at 8:15 p.m., officers went to the area of 1300 Lake Ave., just a few blocks away from Spruce Street, for a report of a man trying to stab a victim in their own doorway. Police say that victim wasn't seriously injured because a cell phone "prevented any penetrating injuries to him."

About 15 minutes later, police got another call back in the same block of Spruce Street, and neighbors were holding the suspect down on the ground after allegedly trying to attack a 75-year-old man in a wheelchair.

When officers got to that scene and took Martinez in custody, a neighbor told them there was a dead man in her yard several houses away from the fight. Investigators found that crime scene and began investigating.

The deceased man was identified as 63-year-old Donald Ritchie.

More charges are expected against the suspect pending the homicide investigation. The suspect was taken to the hospital to be treated for injuries after being held by neighbors.