Mom of Oakdale stabbing victim says he died protecting himself, cousin. ‘You are a hero.’
A 21-year-old man died after being stabbed in Oakdale on Saturday night, the Police Department there said in a news release.
The victim, Nathaniel “Nate” Holland, was a Modesto resident and Downey High grad, according to his Facebook page. And his mother told The Bee he died trying to protect himself and a cousin.
About 8:08 p.m., officers were dispatched to the area of South Yosemite Avenue and East G Street on the report of a stabbing. They found the victim with what appeared to be a knife wound to his chest, the news release said.
Officers performed first aid and emergency medical responders were called to the scene. The man was taken to a local hospital, where he died.
Officers searched the area but found no one matching the suspect description given to officers. The news release included no information on the circumstances of the stabbing.
The name of the victim was withheld pending notification of family. But in comments on the Police Department’s post, Modesto resident Katie Small identified herself as the mother of the victim and pleaded, “If anyone hears anything please reach out.”
She told The Bee in a text message, “I want everyone to know so they will be on the lookout for the man that did this to him.”
Any witnesses or anyone with information on the homicide is urged to contact Detective Sgt. Gary Vanderheiden at 209-847-2231. Anonymous tips may be left with Stanislaus Area Crime Stoppers 209-521-4636.
On her own Facebook page, Small wrote to her son, “ You always have been and always will be my sunshine baby. Your smile and presence always lit up any room you walked into. You never realized how much people admired you and loved being near you.”
Farther down in her post, she added, “God made you so protective and you passed away doing what you do best, protecting your family. You are a hero.”
By text, she elaborated to The Bee: “From what I was told, he was with his cousin standing in front of his car while his cousin charged his phone. The guy walked up and was being irate. My son and his cousin told him to leave and he kept on. So my son stepped forward and said, ‘Just leave, dude.’ The guy stabbed him in the chest and ran off.
“Keep in mind that I don’t know the full story. I’m just putting together little bits and pieces trying to figure out what really happened.”
A gofundme.com page, titled “Funeral expenses for Nathaniel Holland,” has been set up to aid the family.
This story was originally published September 5, 2021 at 8:44 AM.
