Charges Filed Against Suspect for Fatal Stabbing of Family Member
April 15, 2026 – Fresno County Sheriff's Office officials report that deputies have arrested 29-year-old Nicolas Arriaga of 
Fresno and booked him into jail. His bail is set at $2.21 million. The Fresno County District Attorney’s Office has filed the following charges.
- Murder
- Attempted murder
- Assault with a deadly weapon
- Two counts of making criminal threats
- Resisting arrest with violence
- Enhancements for use of a deadly weapon
Just before 4:00 p.m. on Easter Sunday, deputies responded to a disturbance at 6700 E. Central Avenue in Fresno (Sago Rey Palms Plant Nursery). As deputies responded to the scene, dispatchers provided information that a man was attacking multiple people with a machete. Deputies contacted the suspect, Nicolas Arriaga, who was still armed with the machete. Deputies ordered him to drop the weapon, which he did. Arriaga then immediately charged toward deputies, who quickly took him to the ground. Arriaga continued to fight with them until they were ultimately able to place him in handcuffs. Some of the deputies suffered minor injuries.
Other deputies on scene tended to the two female victims. They carried the 64-year-old woman to EMS personnel who had suffered critical injuries to her upper body. A 46-year-old woman, who suffered injuries to her hands while trying to defend herself, was also provided medical treatment. Both were transported to the hospital. The younger woman was released from the hospital later that night.
On April 13th, the 64-year-old woman, Maria Salud Banda Wash, passed away in the hospital. She was the owner of Sago Rey Palms Plant Nursery, and the suspect is her nephew.
Deputies discovered that Arriaga also tried to attack a man. He was able to get away and avoid injury. This was an isolated incident. The suspect and victims were relatives.
No further details are available at this time. This remains an ongoing investigation.
Although an arrest has been made, anyone with additional information about this case is asked to please contact Detective Jose Leon at (559) 600-8221, Detective Michael Sasso at (559) 600-8523 or Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-7867, www.valleycrimestoppers.org. You will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward. Reference case # 26-3870.
Source & photo: Modesto Fire Department
