San Mateo man held after knife attack on mother

A 53-year-old San Mateo man is being held without bail after police say he stabbed his elderly mother when she went to his apartment to check on him.

John Jacobberger was arrested after authorities say he stabbed his 76-year-old mother twice as she stood on the porch of his apartment near downtown San Mateo.

San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe told SFBay the trouble began around 4 p.m. Monday after the woman had gone to the apartment, remained outside on the porch and urged her son to come out.

The woman — seeing her son sitting in the apartment surrounded by knives — was trying to convince him to leave the apartment so they could see his doctor.

But instead of coming out quietly, police and prosecutors say Jaccobberger attacked his mother with one of the knives. As he did, neighbors witnessing the incident, yelled at him to stop.

The attack stopped about as abruptly as it had begun, with Wagstaffe telling SFBay that it is “very evident” Jacobberger suffers from mental health issues.

After stabbing his mother, Wagstaffe says Jacobberger dropped the knife and waited peacefully for officers:

“He stood there until police arrived.”

The wounds the woman suffered were not life-threatening, and she is expected to make a full recovery.  Her name has not released.

Jacobberger has been charged with attempted murder causing great bodily injury on a person over 70 years old, felony assault and felony physical elder abuse. During his initial court appearance in the case, he did not enter a plea.

Jaccobbeger is scheduled to return to court Monday, where he will be assigned an attorney.