A suspect has been arrested in connection with the fatal stabbings of two people and the wounding of three others at a church in California's
Silicon Valley that was being used as a homeless shelter, police said.

"We have one suspect in custody for last night's homicide," San Jose Police Department said in a Twitter post.

The stabbings happened on Sunday night at Grace Baptist Church, where no services were taking place, and officials said a man died there and a woman died in hospital.

Three other men who were wounded were taken to hospital in serious but stable condition.

The church, through its non-profit Grace Solutions, offers an overnight winter shelter to up to 50 men and women during cold, rainy weather and makes showers available daily for drop-in visits to those who may need them, according to the website.

"Unhoused individuals were brought into the church to get them out of the cold," the police department tweeted.

The motive of the attack is under investigation, police said.

"Our hearts are torn for the victims and their loved ones in last night's horrific stabbing at Grace Baptist Church in Downtown - we have lost two community members," San Jose mayor Sam Liccardo said on social media. "We pray for the recovery of others seriously injured in that attack."

The victims were not identified and police said the names of those who died will be released by Santa Clara County Coroner's Office after their families are notified.