At a Glance
- Jacob Masters, 53, was arrested Jan. 11 for allegedly stabbing a hiker on New Year’s Eve.
- The victim was attacked at 11:30 a.m. on the CV Link trail after making brief eye contact with the suspect.
- Police say the assault appeared “unprovoked” and was not a robbery.
- Why it matters: The arrest ends a nearly two-week manhunt that had hikers on edge.
A Palm Springs man is behind bars after police say he donned a ski mask and stabbed a hiker in broad daylight on New Year’s Eve.
Jacob Masters, 53, was booked into the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility on January 11 and charged with attempted murder and resisting an officer, according to the Palm Springs Police Department.
The Attack
The stabbing happened at 11:30 a.m. on December 31, 2025, on the CV Link trail between Golf Club Drive and Cathedral Canyon Drive. The victim, an adult male who has not been publicly identified, told investigators he had simply “made eye contact with a man on the trail as they passed,” police said in a statement posted to social media.
Fifteen minutes later, as the hiker prepared to leave the area, the same man-now wearing a ski mask-allegedly approached while “yelling profanities” and knocked the victim to the ground. The two struggled, and the assailant fled on foot. Only after the confrontation did the hiker realize he had been stabbed. He was treated at a local hospital and released.
| Key Details | Facts |
|---|---|
| Date of attack | Dec. 31, 2025, 11:30 a.m. |
| Location | CV Link trail, Palm Springs |
| Suspect | Jacob Masters, 53 |
| Arrest date | Jan. 11, 2026 |
| Charges | Attempted murder, resisting officer |
The Arrest
Detectives identified Masters as the suspect and located him Sunday afternoon on the 5600 block of E. Ramon Road. When officers tried to detain him, Masters ran but was caught minutes later near the CV Link trail close to the Cimarron Golf Course.
Police emphasized that no property was demanded and the motive remains under investigation. The department has not released information on how Masters was identified or whether he knew the victim.
Olivia M. Hartwell reported for News Of Losangeles that authorities continue to probe why the attack occurred, given that nothing was stolen and the victim had no prior relationship with the suspect.
What’s Next
Masters remains in custody at the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility. The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office is expected to review the case and determine any additional charges.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Palm Springs Police at (760) 323-8116.
Key Takeaways
- The stabbing appears random, with no robbery or known dispute.
- A swift arrest came after detectives canvassed trail cameras and witness statements.
- Parks officials say patrols will increase along the popular CV Link path.
