A California DJ remains hospitalized with life-threatening injuries after intervening when more than ten attackers allegedly assaulted several women at a National City boat dock Sept. 6.
Ricky Haynes, 33, was collecting his gear two weeks following a performance at a birthday party aboard a small yacht when screams allegedly erupted close to the dock at approximately 9:30 p.m, 10News reported. The DJ rushed toward the commotion. The outlet’s video report can be seen here.
“Then out of nowhere, I hear some screams going on. Then I hear people getting pushed into the water,” Haynes said. “I see a bunch of people on top of the girls, two guys stomping on these girls.”
Haynes shoved two alleged attackers off the women before someone pushed him into the water. As he pulled himself back onto the dock, one of the men allegedly stabbed him in the chest. (RELATED: Video Released Of Homeless Ex-Con Who Allegedly Stabbed Ukrainian Refugee To Death)
“One of the girls behind me said, ‘you just got stabbed,’” Haynes recalled, according to the outlet.
DJ stabbed while protecting women from attackers on boat dock in National Cityhttps://t.co/UEOGpJEJoo
— NBC Palm Springs (@NBCPalmSprings) September 16, 2025
The alleged attack punctured his lung, broke a rib and landed mere inches away from his heart. Blood poured from the wound as the group of alleged attackers took off in their vehicles.
Doctors at the emergency room confirmed the severe injuries and his recovery is anticipated to last several months. “Even with pain medication, I have trouble breathing right now,” Haynes said.
Police said the violent confrontation started when a woman from Haynes’ party brushed against a female from the other group, according to the DJ.
Despite his condition, Haynes stands by his actions. “It was the right thing to do. Those girls could have gotten killed, stabbed,” he said.
Police continue investigating the assault, the outlet reported. Haynes fears what could happen if authorities don’t track down any suspects.
“It’s scary. If they get away with this, more people will be stabbed. I don’t want anyone else to go through this,” he said. “Just glad to be alive. There were a lot of moments in that whole situation where I thought I was a goner.”
A GoFundMe campaign has been established to help Haynes