CRIME SCENE where a civilian report writer for the Garden Grove Police Department was stabbed in the leg Thursday morning (GGPD photo).

A 38-year-old civilian report writer for the Garden Grove Police Department was stabbed Thursday morning, and a suspect was arrested and is facing an attempted murder charge.

According to Lt. Carl Whitney, the incident occurred around 11:15 a.m. at 11319 Parkgreen Lane.  The report writer was in stable condition after suffering stab wounds to his right leg from a large knife.

The suspect is Hop Ngoc Tran, 51, a resident of Garden Grove.

The incident unfolded in this way, according to Lt. Whitney.

A report of vandalism came to the GGPD of a person cutting a water pipe and water lines to the washing machines at a community laundry in a condo complex. The report writer arrived shortly after the call.

He began to investigate when he was stabbed by the suspect, according to Lt. Whitney. The writer was able to fight off his attacker and retreat, calling for emergency help. A plumber who was at the location to fix the water lines applied a makeshift tourniquet to stop the bleeding.

Arriving police gave medical aid to the injured officer, who was taken to a nearby hospital.

The suspect is a resident of the complex where the attack took place.  The motive for the attack is unknown and the investigation is continuing.