Man held for hatchet attack

ESCONDIDO, Calif., July 10 (UPI) -- California authorities say a case of mistaken identity may have been the cause of a hatchet attack that injured a man and a woman in Escondido.

Lt. Bob Benton of the Escondido Police Department says the suspect, Gamalier Reyes Rivera, 32, may have thought the female victim was his estranged wife, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported Friday.

Benton said Rivera's wife and daughter lived in the house where the attack took place.

Rivera, a Border Patrol employee, was arrested near the scene and was expected to be charged with two counts of attempted murder.

Police said the unnamed male victim of the attack was struck several times in the neck and torso with a hatchet. He is reported in critical condition.

His unnamed girlfriend was wounded on one of her legs.

Police say Rivera's estranged wife had been granted a three-year restraining order.