Police say they received a call about a man yelling and being disruptive a few hours before he allegedly stabbed a father holding his daughter in the neck in a crowded Southern California restaurant.
Ventura police said in a statement that a bystander reported the man Wednesday evening near the Aloha Steakhouse.
But officers were out on other calls so command centre staff monitored him for 20 minutes using a pier security camera system before determining he didn't pose a threat.
Authorities arrested 49-year-old Jamal Jackson three hours later, after they say he stabbed 35-year-old Anthony Mele as Mele's 5-year-old daughter sat on his lap. Jackson has been charged with murder.
Online court records show Jackson has prior convictions for unlawful sexual intercourse and burglary dating back to the 1990s.
Prosecutor Richard Simon says patrons and an employee at the restaurant followed Jackson until he was arrested. Mele died at a hospital.
A GoFundMe page started by Mele's family for funeral costs says their ``hearts are severely broken.''