Lafayette homicide victim ID’d, suspect in custody as bizarre Facebook post surfaces

LAFAYETTE, Calif. (KGO) — In the East Bay, we’re learning more about a fatal stabbing over the weekend, which left a man dead. It’s the first homicide in Lafayette in 20 years. A suspect from Butte County is now in custody.

“I was horrified watching police run down the street with rifles,” said Christina Coleridge.

Coleridge returned home to Westminster Place in Lafayette Saturday, as police were descending on the house across the street.

The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Department says 34-year-old Christopher Jaber was killed. Christina says she knew Christopher, and says he lived with his parents.

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“He tried to be chatty, I knew he had mental health challenges, he was the son who lived at home- he’d ride his bike, parents are both physicians,” Coleridge said.

“We saw someone getting apprehended,” said neighbor Jesse Tippett.

Deputies arrested a 35-year-old man from Chico for the crime. ABC7 Eyewitness News is not naming the man until he’s formally arraigned later this week. Neighbors say the suspect did not run from the scene.

“I think he walked out down the street, not in a hurry,” said Coleridge.

Pictures taken by neighbors show the backyard of the house with police markings.

A recent bizarre Facebook post from a man with the same name as the suspect, appears to target the victim. “If you need the Chaos of the supernatural to end, Chris Jaber 34, AKA the eye resides at 5 Westminster Place, Lafayette. Go with God.”

Last week, an updated post said: “can someone please kill this man.”

“That was chilling, awful. It seems like that should’ve been picked up by some technology who knows,” added Coleridge.

It’s still unclear how the suspect knew the victim.

Violent crimes are rare in Lafayette. Police say the last homicide here was 20 years ago.