Man arrested after attempted switchblade attack on East Bay political candidate

CASTRO VALLEY — A man is behind bars after his arrest in connection with an attempted assault incident on a political candidate, authorities said.

About 3:45 p.m. Sunday, Alameda County sheriff’s deputies were working the Castro Valley Fall Festival in the 2500 block of Castro Valley Boulevard when they learned of a possible knife attack at a nearby vendor booth, the sheriff’s department said Tuesday.

Deputies spoke with Rudy Peters, a candidate for a local congressional seat, and with witnesses who said another man had approached Peters aggressively, making remarks about his party and other politicians.

Deputies suspect the man pulled a switchblade knife and tried to stab Peters. When the knife apparently malfunctioned, the candidate got into a physical struggle with the man, who fled but was detained soon after.

Deputies searched the man, identified as Farzad Fazeli, 35, and found a knife on him. Fazeli was initially arrested on suspicion of felony assault, criminal threats, brandishing a weapon and possession of a switchblade knife.

Fazeli was booked Sunday into Santa Rita Jail, with no listed bail amount or upcoming arraignment hearing, according to county records.

Sheriff’s deputies have forwarded case details to the Alameda County district attorney’s office for possible charging, but additional charges may be added after further view, sheriff’s spokesman Sgt. Ray Kelly said Tuesday.

In a tweet Tuesday, Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Hayward, decried the attack on Peters. In a Facebook post, Peters said both he and Joe Grcar, a state Assembly candidate, were victims.

Contact George Kelly at 408-859-5180.

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