‘A hero’ | Brother dies protecting his sister from suspected stabber in Stockton

STOCKTON, Calif. — A Stockton family is remembering their son as a hero after he was killed trying to protect them in a stabbing Tuesday night.

The Holmes are still coming to grips with why their 31-year-old son Roger Eugene Foy Holmes was killed at their east Stockton home.

“He was just a great guy to be around,” said Breanna Homles, the victim’s sister. “He was so fun. He was so loving. He was just overall just a great man.”

“I would have given him whatever he (the suspect) wanted,” said Tracy Holmes, the victim’s mother. “If he wanted money, I would have gave it to him. He could have anything; he did not have to take my son!”

Family and friends grieved Thursday night after Holmes was killed in his home in front of his family. Tracy said a man, the Stockton Police identified as 27-year-old Colbrin Mahan, came on their property and threatened to kill them.

“He told my daughter, ‘I am going kill you,’” said Raymond Holmes, the victim’s father. “My son pushes her out of the way.”

The Stockton Police Department said a few moments later, Mahan delivered a fatal stab wound and then stabbed Holmes’ 57-year-old father Raymond as he tried to wrestle the knife away.

“I got stabbed, but my wounds superficial,” said Raymond Holmes, who suffered a nonlife threatening injury. “My son is gone, over senseless violence.”

Holmes was remembered as a hard worker, who always took care of his family, specifically his mother and grandmother. But now, he’s also remembered as a hero.

“He is the hero,” said Raymond Holmes. “He protected his sister as the hero. Not me, not me. He is a hero.”

Mahan is facing several felony charges, including a charge to revoke a Post Release Community Supervision, a form of probation.

“Why let all these crazy people out,” said Tracy Holmes. “I do not understand it – when they are not ready to come out. They got problems, and they need more help.

The family said they do not know who the suspected stabber is. But they now hold onto the memories as their son was robbed of a future.

“He always said that if he had to die, he would die to protect his family,” said Tracy Holmes. “And that is exactly what he did.”

The Stockton Police Department says this is an ongoing investigation and has not released a motive for the stabbing.

Mahan remains in jail and is not eligible for bail. He will make his first court appearance on Friday Feb. 16 in Stockton.

Father killed protecting his son from attackers at Fairfield party, wife says