MARIPOSA, CALIFORNIA — Jonathan Bays, 41, allegedly attacked another person with a large samurai-style sword during a party at Creekside Apartments in Mariposa, California, on Saturday. The victim was struck in the wrist, hand, head, and shoulder during the incident.

Bays fled the scene after the attack and was last seen walking on a trail that led to a jail. As of Wednesday, he remained at large. The Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office is using helicopters, K-9 units, and assistance from other agencies in the search for Bays.

Sheriff Jeremy Briese described Bays as “armed and dangerous.” Briese said the incident was “isolated” and resulted from a “dispute” between individuals in the apartment. “This was a dispute that occurred between individuals and he decided to unfortunately utilize his sword for his actions,” Sheriff Jeremy Briese said.

The victim was flown by helicopter to a nearby hospital following the attack.

Public records indicate Bays is a transient from Idaho with an active parole warrant from that state issued in 2025. Records from the Idaho Department of Correction show he was previously convicted of sexual battery of a minor child aged 16 to 17 years.

Bays is described as 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighing 180 pounds. He was last seen wearing a black sweater, black shoes, a camo-style hat, and tan pants. Authorities note that Bays goes by several different names, including Mike, Michael, or Aaron.

According to Sheriff Jeremy Briese, all individuals inside the apartment were using methamphetamine and other drugs at the time of the incident.