Two men are behind bars on Friday in a fatal stabbing in San Leandro, police said.

Police arrested 23-year-old Michael Mendozaroche, of Alameda, and 23-year-old Alex Fernandez, of Oakland, at their homes on Thursday. They are accused in the fatal stabbing of 25-year-old Michael Kittrell Smith and critically injuring his 36-year-old friend and co-worker.

Police identified Mendozaroche and Fernandez through interviews and surveillance video. Police also found a weapon near the scene of the crime.

Police said the four men were involved in an altercation, surveillance video and witness testimony reveals. Further details on the altercation are not known.

The stabbing happened late Tuesday night in the parking lot of the downtown San Leandro Washington Plaza. That is an outdoor shopping center that has shops, restaurants, and a grocery store.

The victims were stabbed multiple times, police said.

“So far we know that four men left a nearby restaurant/bar after closing and got into some sort of argument in the parking lot,” San Leandro Police Lieutenant Isaac Benabou said. The argument led to a physical altercation where the two victims were stabbed multiple times. “This is an involved case that will require many more hours of work; we want to conduct a complete and thorough investigation for the victims, and to ensure that both suspects are held accountable for their crimes.”

Mendozaroche and Fernandez were charged with murder and attempted murder on Friday.

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