TUCSON, ARIZ. — A 25-year-old man has been charged with first-degree murder in connection to a stabbing earlier this month that left a man critically injured near downtown Tucson. The victim died from his injuries on April 18, police announced.
On April 5, at approximately 10 a.m., Tucson police officers responded to a report of an assault at the southeast corner of East Broadway Boulevard and South 6th Avenue. Officers found an unresponsive man with sharp-force trauma. Bystanders were performing first aid before officers and the Tucson Fire Department arrived. The victim was taken to Banner University Medical Center with life-threatening injuries.
Detectives from the Robbery Assault Unit learned that the suspect approached the victim and his wife at a bus stop before initiating a confrontation and striking the male victim with a sharp-edged weapon. The suspect fled the scene on a public streetcar.
Investigators later identified the suspect as Daniel Michael, 25, through evidence and images collected at the scene. He was arrested on April 8 at his residence on Tucson’s east side. A search warrant was executed at the home, where additional evidence was recovered.
Victim identified, charges upgraded to murder
The victim, identified as 32-year-old Jacob Couch, underwent emergency surgery but ultimately succumbed to his injuries nearly two weeks later. His family was notified of his condition and subsequent death. Detectives subsequently upgraded Michael’s charges to first-degree murder.
Key Points
- Jacob Couch, 32, was stabbed during a confrontation at a Tucson bus stop on April 5
- Daniel Michael, 25, was arrested three days later and initially charged with aggravated assault
- Couch died on April 18, and the charge was amended to first-degree murder
Michael remains in custody at Pima County Jail pending further court proceedings.
