A Ketchum man suspected of being an illegal immigrant faces an attempted murder charge for allegedly stabbing an acquaintance multiple times early Monday morning at the Ketchum Korral cabins on south Main Street.
Ketchum police identified the suspect as 33-year-old David Peralta Rojas, who police believe is a Peruvian native. Interim Police Chief Dave Kassner said Rojas was arrested Monday morning on a charge of first-degree attempted murder.
Rojas is accused of stabbing 36-year-old Roger Mansecidor Rubin sometime after midnight Monday at Rojas' residence, which police identified as Ketchum Korral cabin No. 37. No address was available on Rubin. Police believe he is also a Peruvian national. His immigration status was not made clear by press deadline Tuesday.
Kassner said he believes Rubin was treated at St. Luke's Wood River Medical Center early Monday morning. Confirmation was not available from the hospital since Rubin signed a "privacy patient" document that precludes hospital personnel from releasing any information.
Ketchum police first learned of the stabbing at about 2 a.m. on Monday, when they were notified that a stabbing patient was being treated at the hospital.
"I believe someone gave him a ride there, but it wasn't an ambulance," Kassner said. "He basically got there on his own with someone else's assistance."
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Kassner said Rubin was stabbed multiple times, but declined to say how many or where the wounds were inflicted. Police were attempting to interview Rubin on Tuesday.
Kassner said the incident was apparently the result of an argument that took place at Rojas' home.
Rojas was arrested at his residence around 11 a.m. Monday. Kassner said Rojas surrendered without incident when police arrived at his home.
"He kind of came out of the home and turned himself in," Kassner said. "He wasn't going anywhere."
Rojas was being held Tuesday afternoon in the Blaine County jail. Records there state that there is an "immigration hold" on him, which indicates that his residency status is in question.
It was not clear when he would make an initial appearance in Blaine County Magistrate Court.
Terry Smith: tsmith@mtexpress.com
David Peralta Rojas
