TW: Violence, mental health, attempted murder

Location: CA

My next door neighbor who I share a wall with has a history of mental health issues. He has had multiple priors with police being called and being admitted to a mental hospital. I moved in January 2025 and signed a 12 month lease. On our second day there, our neighbor was having an episode. He was screaming manically all throughout the night from 9pm-4am. I went to the office concerned, inquiring to see if there are any known issues I should be aware of for my families safety. The office assures me there is a man there who lives with his mother but there aren’t any issues I should be made aware of. They gave me the impression there were plenty of known issues however she kept reiterating how nice the mother is. I have been scared of this man since. I looked out the peep hole before leaving my house every morning, always had my Stanley in my right hand as I figured it could do some damage, and really just mentally prepared in case he was outside. When I tell you, this man had dead eyes, I mean it. I truly didn’t know what that meant until I met him.

Fast forward(with incidents not note worthy from then to now) to 4 days ago, my husband and I are packing our car to leave for the day. We see this neighbor(the son) taking out the trash. Approximately 15 minutes later, we get a ring door bell alert. His mother is COVERED in blood, opens our patio gate, and rings our doorbell looking for help. This son stabbed her 10 times and was moving off pure strength. It was like a scene out of a horror movie. I called 911 immediately and gave officers a quick history, description, unit number, etc.

Our house was then blocked off for 12 hours as a crime scene. Hazmat cleaners came and cleaned our patio due to the blood and had to throw away our door mat. The only thing they left was the ring doorbell we had to clean ourselves and I’m sure that’s due to them not wanting to mess up our electronics.

As of right now, the woman is still fighting. She isn’t out of the woods yet, but she is still here. The son has been arrested and charged with attempted murder. Today was his first court date and he is claiming he didn’t do it, thus pleading not guilty and attempting to lower his bail.

I have been having a really hard time with this, on the verge of panic attacks every time I leave and enter or look at my door. I cannot get the ring doorbell video of her fighting for her life out of my head. My husband is listed as witness and this is causing stress as the son walked past our unit as he was getting arrested and saw our gate open and blood everywhere. I can only assume that it is likely he believes she was in our apartment. This is an issue if he gets granted a lower bail and even with their friends or family, especially if he has to testify.

Now where I might be the asshole.. I want out of this unit. It truly comes down to morality vs. contract.

We had a meeting with our office manager and she was very kind and her eyes welled up during our conversation. I found out that they were a very well known issue and the office manager herself has spent long nights with the mother during a few of the son’s episodes.

Our request to relocate was granted however options are very limited. We have a choice of a smaller unit or one that is not upgraded. Although I am thankful for the understanding, the choices are not my best case scenario. Even then, we have to wait a month to move. I just feel like I shouldn’t have to lose my space or the amenities I currently have. I truly loved this space and I know I’m going to have a hard time finding something similar. I have to respond to the office manager with what we are deciding and I just feel like I’m not okay with either options. But it’s ultimately getting me out of this unit which is exactly what I wanted. If you were in my situation, how would you feel? AITAH for feeling like I don’t want any of the options? I don’t want to stay here, I don’t want the options provided. Is anyone else just having a really hard fucking time?