High school wrestling coach accused of fatally attacking bail bondsman during overnight shift

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (TCD) -- Police arrested a 38-year-old man this week on suspicion of assaulting and killing a bail bondsman during his overnight shift.

On Monday, June 3, at approximately 4:15 a.m., officers with the Sacramento Police Department responded to I Street, where they found 56-year-old Kevin Brace suffering from "significant injuries." Officials attempted lifesaving measures, but Sacramento Fire personnel pronounced Brace dead at the scene.

Police identified Jacob Mandell as the primary suspect in the fatal attack. According to KCRA-TV, Mandell, who coached the wrestling team for El Camino Fundamental High School for the past season, reportedly knocked on Brace's bond office in a "cordial" manner and asked to use the phone. Brace had worked as a bail bondsman for Greg Padilla Bail Bonds for more than three decades, KCRA reports.

Mandell allegedly pulled Brace out of the office and physically assaulted him to death while the victim was working his usual overnight shift.

KCRA reports that security cameras captured the attack. The co-owner of Greg Padilla Bail Bonds reportedly said Mandell used their services in 2020, and he was bailed out for resisting arrest, but he doesn't believe Brace knew the suspect.

Detectives arrested Mandell and booked him into the Sacramento County Jail on a charge of murder. He remains held without bail and is scheduled to appear in court on June 12.

The recent fatal attack comes two days after officials arrested a man in Maryland on suspicion of killing a parole officer during a visit.