What’s going on with the Vongkoth case?

By Larry Judkins

Glenn County Observer

It was almost a year ago that Luke Vongkoth was arrested for stabbing four people at a residence in Orland.

According to a press release from the Orland Police Department issued from the time, at about 4:39 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 16, officers were dispatched to [226] Plumas Street for a report of multiple victims of stabbings.

Upon arrival, officers found four stabbing victims. It was determined that Luke Vongkoth, 18 [at the time], walked into a bedroom and used a crossbow to shoot a 44-year-old man, but missed.

Vongkoth then pepper sprayed the man and proceeded to stab him in the neck and head area. The man then attempted flee to another room in the home, but Vongkoth pursued him.

As Vongkoth chased the man, he came in contact with a 65-year-old woman. Vongkoth proceeded to stab the woman in the head and neck.

A 67-year-old man attempted to stop Vongkoth, but in doing so was stabbed in his hand. Vongkoth then fled to another room and stabbed a 15-year-old boy in the head and back area.

The boy was able to escape, and Vongkoth was then locked in a room by witnesses at the scene.

While Vongkoth was trapped in the room, he attempted to commit suicide. Witnesses were able to subdue him until law enforcement officers arrived.

Once police officers were there, they were able to quickly detain Vongkoth without incident. Three of the stab victims were transported to an area hospital for their injuries, while one of the victims was treated on scene by paramedics and released.

Vongkoth was arrested and booked into the Glenn County Jail on multiple attempted murder charges.

Since being charged on January 16 with four counts of attempted murder and four counts of felony assault with a deadly weapon, according to Glenn County Superior Court records, Vongkoth apparently underwent mental health evaluations, although this is difficult to determine with certainty as the records are rather vague.

However, on November 1, Vongkoth pled not guilty to the attempted murder charges. Then, just days ago, on December 18, he pled guilty to the four assault charges.

On the same day, the attempted murder charges were dismissed.

Sentencing for Vongkoth for the assault charges is currently planned for Friday, February 14, 2025.