Tag: Stabbing

TOPANGA CANYON—On Sunday, December 21, the Los Angeles Police Department’s Topanga Division detectives are investigating a robbery and assault with a deadly weapon involving juvenile suspects that occurred at a shopping center in the West San Fernando Valley.

The LAPD reported on December 18, at approximately 4:15 p.m., two 15-year-old male victims were approached by two unidentified juvenile male suspects near the 6600 block of Topanga Canyon Boulevard. The juvenile suspects made comments about a gold chain worn by the first victim. One juvenile suspect suddenly grabbed the chain, and a struggle ensued. The second victim attempted to assist the first victim, and additional friends of the victims attempted to intervene.

During the altercation, one of the juvenile suspects produced a knife and stabbed the second victim under his arm. The second victim was transported to a local hospital for medical treatment and was later released. The first victim sustained a minor laceration to the back of his head and was treated at the scene.

The juvenile suspects fled the location on foot northbound on Owensmouth Avenue with the victim’s gold chain.

First Suspect is described as a 16–18-year-old Black male with brown eyes. He stands approximately 5 feet and 8 inches tall, weighing about 160 pounds. He was last seen wearing a black hoodie, blue jeans, and black shoes.

Second Suspect is described as a 16–18-year-old Black male with brown eyes. He stands approximately 5 feet and 6 inches tall, weighing about 160 pounds. He was last seen wearing a dark-colored hoodie, a brown fanny pack, black pants, and black shoes.

Anyone with details regarding the incident is asked to contact Topanga Division Detective Brinkman at (818) 756-3524. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may contact LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or submit tips online.

By Danny Jones

BEVERLY HILLS—On November 29, a man left a coffee house at the corner of Stanley Avenue and Melrose Avenue and walked to his car, where he was attacked by a man who stabbed him with a knife. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Wilshire Division are now searching for the suspect. The victim was stabbed three times. While he defending himself, he also sustained two wounds to his hand. The suspect fled the scene after the attack. The victim drove to the Kaiser Permanente West Los Angeles Medical Center on Cadillac Avenue, where he was treated for his wounds. He received a one-inch laceration to his shoulder. In addition, he also suffered a puncture wound under his left ear and a half-inch laceration on the lower left side of his neck. The victim was unable to provide the police with a description of his attacker. The LAPD is canvassing the area in which the victim was attacked and seeking to find security camera footage that could allow them to identify the attacker. Anyone with information should call the LAPD Wilshire Division at

• (213) 922-8205
• (213) 473-0476

  By Daniel Diquinzio

SANTA MONICA—On Friday, September 5, Lt. Gilmour with the Santa Monica Police Department informed Canyon News that a suspect was arrested in connection to a stabbing on the Ocean Front Walk.

The SMPD reported on August 31, at approximately 4:58 p.m., the Police Department responded to a report of an assault with a deadly weapon near 1615 Ocean Front Walk.

Responding officers located an adult male who sustained non-life-threatening stab wounds. They provided medical aid until Santa Monica Fire Department personnel arrived and transported the victim to a local hospital.

The assault transpired at the top of a pedestrian staircase connecting Ocean Front Walk to Appian Way. The suspect approached, stabbed the victim multiple times, and fled on foot.

Following an extensive investigation, officers located and arrested Malvin Walker, 24, on the evening of September 3 in the 1800 block of Ocean Front Walk. Officers assigned to routine patrol recognized Walker and detained him without incident.

Walker was arrested in connection with the stabbing and is being charged with attempted murder (California Penal Code 664/187). He was also booked on unrelated charges, including felony vandalism (no bail) and a $51,000 warrant for battery. Walker is still in police custody.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has details that can assist in the investigation
is asked to contact Detective Isaac Reyes at isaac.reyes@santamonica.gov or the Santa
Monica Police Watch Commander at 310-458-8427.

By Danny Jones

WESTWOOD—On Wednesday, February 5, the LADA disclosed that James Joshua Lopez, 24, was charged with murder in connection with the January 26 stabbing death of Amanda Torres, 28, in downtown Los Angeles.

District Attorney Nathan Hochman noted that Torres was a “compassionate leader’ and recently graduated from UCLA and was a community organizer.

Lopez, of Los Angeles faces one count of murder with an allegation of personal use of deadly and dangerous weapon, a knife. His bail has been set at $2.02 million. His arraignment was set for March 3, Dept. 30 of the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center.

It was reported that on January 26 at around 12:40 a.m., Lopez is accused of fatally stabbing Torres after the victim intervened trying to protect her brother, who had been allegedly attacked by a group of men at a party in the 1100 block of S. Los Angeles Street. Torres was stabbed in the neck by the suspect.

The case is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorneys Cristhian Ochoa and Monique Pahuja of the Central Trials-13 Division. The case was investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department.

Charges filed in the case are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. If convicted as charged, Lopez faces up to 26 years to life in prison.

By Trevor

SANTA MONICA—On Friday, January 24, 2025, Lt. Erika Aklufi of the Santa Monica Police Department informed Canyon News that a suspect involved in a fatal stabbing in the region has been convicted in court.

On November 2, 2022, officers responded to Lot 1 North, the beach parking lot just north of the Pier, for a suspicious circumstances call. A parking attendant noticed a male subject lying motionless in the driver seat and possibly bleeding. The victim had died of stab wounds inflicted by an unknown assailant.

Using evidence collected from the vehicle and other investigative tools, the murder suspect was identified as Dearborn, Michigan resident Mohamed Abou-Arabi, 25. The Los Angles County District Attorney’s Office filed a single count of murder with an enhancement for utilizing a knife to commit the fatal attack.

A warrant was issued for Abou-Arabi’s arrest. In January 2023, SMPD Detectives flew to Michigan and arrested Abou-Arabi. During a trial in September 2024, Abou-Arabi was found guilty of First-Degree Murder.

On January 13, 2025, he was sentenced to 25 years to life in state prison, plus a one-year enhancement for using a knife.

By Trevor

SANTA MONICA—The Santa Monica Police Department has released video of an officer-involved shooting that transpired between an individual and a police officer who was stabbed by the subject.

The incident in question transpired on October 5, after officers responded to the scene of the Target establishment located at 420 Broadway. Video has circulated on social media showing, Deyaa Abdelhadi Halaibeh violently attacking a Target employee.

Halaibeh was suspected of committing a robbery at the Target store before the attack at the police station. At approximately 5:16 p.m., a SMPD Downtown Services Unit officer was flagged down by store security about a robbery that just occurred.

An employee of the store was pushed to the ground and a box of kitchen knives taken by a male subject who fled the area. The box was later found abandoned with one knife missing. This knife, an 8-inch chef’s knife, was used by the subject when he accosted the officer.

The officer confronted the suspect at the police station. The officer indicated he was nervous about Halaibeh, who had his hand in his jacket. The suspect later responded by striking the officer several times with a knife. The police officer asked the suspect several times to drop the knife before the officer fired a shot and killed him.

“The use of force by law enforcement personnel is a matter of critical concern, both to the public and to the law enforcement community. Every day, officers are involved in rapidly evolving interactions with members of the public and, when warranted, use reasonable force in carrying out their duties. This is especially true with respect to officers safeguarding the community and themselves from attacks and overcoming resistance while engaged in the performance of law enforcement duties.  Officers and their supervisors are responsible for understanding their authority and its limitations and appreciating the serious consequences of every use of force,” the SMPD said in a statement.

Current California law requires police departments to release video and audio recordings of a critical incident within 45 days of the occurrence.

“The Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) understands that building and maintaining trust between the police department and the community requires openness and transparency in all matters, especially the use of deadly force by a police officer.  On October 5, 2024, a Santa Monica police officer was involved in a fatal Officer Involved Shooting (OIS) with an armed subject in front of the police station.  To abide by state law and, most importantly, to ensure our community is engaged, the SMPD has created a Critical Incident Community Debriefing Video (CIV) to provide insight into and context for the OIS,” said the SMPD in a statement.

VIEWER ADVISORY: the following video contains graphic content, including violent assault footage and intense audio that may be distressing to some viewers. Discretion is strongly advised.

Link to Critical Incident Video 

By Trevor

SANTA MONICA—On Tuesday, November 19, Lt. Erika Aklufi of the Santa Monica Police Department indicated a suspect involved in a September 6 homicide has been arrested. The incident was reported on September 6 at 5:50 p.m. on the 1100 block of 6th Street, alley east.

The SMPD reported on September 6 the SMPD Homeless Liaison Program (HLP) officers received a radio call of a person lying on the ground in the 1100 Block of Alley 6. When officers arrived, they discovered a deceased male in his 30s with one stab wound to the upper chest area. Two detectives were designated as the handling investigators and several other from the Criminal Investigations Division (CID) responded to assist. As a team, CID gathered evidence, video footage, and witness statements throughout the day.

After an extensive and thorough investigation, detectives determined the suspect worked in a building adjacent to the incident. Arrested was Sebastian Emil Gaston, 36, of Los Angeles.

Detectives presented the case to the Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney who believed there was enough evidence to file the murder charge. An arrest warrant was issued for Gaston who was subsequently taken into custody on November 7 at the Santa Monica police station.

During his interrogation, Gaston admitted to the murder as well as a previous assault in July. Gaston remains in the custody of the LA County Sheriff’s Department pending trial.
Anyone with details about Gaston or the stabbing is asked to contact Detective Kayondo at lawrence.kayondo@santamonica.gov, Sergeant Lozano at alfonso.lozano@santamonica.gov, or the Watch Commander 24 hours a day at 310-458-8427.

By Trevor

SANTA MONICA—Sgt. Jose Rodriguez informed Canyon News via email on October 17 that they are investigating a stabbing that transpired on Wednesday, October 16.

The incident was reported at approximately 7 p.m., when officers responded to the area of 5th Court and Broadway for an individual in need of medical assistance. Upon arrival, officers located a homeless male with a stab wound. The Santa Monica Fire Department responded and transported the individual to a local area hospital for treatment. He remains in serious, but stable condition.

The suspect in this incident is described as male, Black, approximately 20-25 years
old with dreadlocks, with a very distinctive “FTP” tattoo on his face.

Detectives are searching the area for surrounding security camera footage of the
incident and are asking for the community to contact the Watch Commander (310-
458-8426) should you have any information that may assist in identifying the suspect.

The SMPD is increasing officers presence by building stronger bonds with the residents and business owners while collaborating with neighboring law enforcement agencies to identify those responsible.

The public can read more about the SMPD’s Directed Action Response Team (DART),
newly re-established Crime Impact Team (CIT), Drone As a First Responder (DFR),
and our increased patrol presence in the weekly recap published on our website as
we use all resources at our disposal.

By Trevor

PACIFIC PALISADES/WESTWOOD—On Wednesday, October 2, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced in a news release that the suspect who murdered UCLA student Brianna Kupfer was sentenced to life in prison.

It was announced announced that Shawn Laval Smith was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder of UCLA graduate student Brianna Kupfer, 24, while she worked at a furniture store in the neighborhood of Hancock Park in 2022.

On September 10, Smith was found guilty by a jury of one count of murder and a special-circumstance allegation of lying in wait. The jury found that Smith used a deadly and dangerous weapon, a knife. The case then entered a non-jury sanity phase.

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Mildred Escobedo ruled that Smith was sane at the time he committed the crime, rejecting Smith’s plea of not guilty by reason of insanity.

Judge Escobedo sentenced Smith to life in prison without the possibility of parole in addition to one year in prison for the use of a deadly and dangerous weapon, a knife.

A restitution hearing setting will take place on November 25 in Dept. 126 of the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center.

On January 13, 2022, Smith entered Croft Furniture store in the 300 block of North La Brea Ave. where Kupfer was working alone. He acted as a customer before stabbing her and fleeing the scene.

The LAPD reported around 1:50 p.m., officers from the Wilshire Patrol responded to a radio call of an “Ambulance Assault with a Deadly Weapon” at a business, located at the 300 block of North La Brea Avenue. Officers met with the reporting party, a customer who entered the store and discovered the victim dead on the floor.

Detectives determined the suspect was not known to the victim and was a random individual who entered the establishment. Smith attacked the victim with a knife and fled the scene through the back door. There is no known motive for the attack. He was captured on video surveillance traveling northbound in the alley to the rear of the crime scene.

At the time of the crime, he was wearing a dark hoody, sunglasses, a white N-95 mask, dark skinny jeans, dark shoes and carrying a dark backpack. Based on evidence discovered by detectives, Smith was believed to be homeless. The owner of the nearby chiropractic office, Dr. Jennifer Bothelo informed CBS Los Angeles that the suspect came into her establishment asked a few questions and then left.

Kupfer was a resident of Pacific Palisades and a student studying architecture and design at UCLA. She previously attended the University of Miami before returning to California to pursue a graduate degree. The case was prosecuted by LADA’s Major Crimes Division and investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department.

By Trevor

BEVERLY HILLS—The Beverly Hills Police Department informed Canyon News via email that they are investigating a stabbing incident that transpired on Saturday, September 28.

At approximately 2:51 p.m., officers responded to an unknown trouble call in the 100 block of Spalding Drive. Officers arrived to find an adult male suffering from injuries following a physical altercation.

The investigation determined that a male suspect confronted the victim and his child as they were walking on the sidewalk. During the altercation, the victim stabbed the suspect, and both individuals sustained injuries.

The suspect was transported to a local hospital, where he later died. The name of the individual stabbed has not been disclosed to the public. The exact cause of death remains under investigation. The victim was treated and released.

BHPD Detectives are continuing their investigation. Anyone with details about this case is asked to contact the Beverly Hills Police Department at (310) 285-2125.

By Trevor

SANTA MONICA—On Friday, September 6, the Santa Monica Police Department announced they are investigating a homicide that transpired.

The SMPD indicated on its Facebook page that they discovered a male victim, believed to be homeless, who was found dead from an apparent stab wound in the alley near the 1100 block of 6th Street.

At this time, no suspect is in custody, and authorities are seeking the community’s assistance in identifying and locating the individual(s) responsible. The name and age of the victim has not been disclosed to the public.

“We recognize that our community has recently been impacted by several violent crimes and understand the heightened concern these incidents cause. We want to reassure the community that the safety and well-being of our residents remain our highest priorities. Our team is working diligently to identify the suspect(s), and a strong police presence will remain in the area as the investigation continues,” the SMPD said in a statement.

“We understand the recent violent crimes have caused significant concern, and we want to reassure the community that the safety and well-being of our residents are our top priorities. Our team is working diligently to identify the suspect, and there will continue to be a strong police presence in the area as the investigation continues.”

Anyone with details on the fatal stabbing is asked to contact the Santa Monica Police Department at 310-458-8491.

By Trevor

SANTA MONICA—On Tuesday, May 21, the Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced today that a man has been charged with attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon in connection with the stabbing of two German tourists near the Santa Monica promenade.

Larry Ameyal Cedeno, 29, was charged in case 24ARCF00735 with one count of attempted murder and one count of assault with a deadly weapon. It is further alleged that in the commission of the offenses, the defendant both used a knife and caused great bodily injury to the victims.

On May 19, at approximately 8 p.m., Cedeno allegedly stabbed two victims on the 1500 block of 4th Street in Santa Monica. The victims were taken to the hospital with injuries.
In an unprovoked incident, he assaulted three individuals. Two victims suffered stab wounds; one remains in critical but stable condition; the third victim was assaulted with no major injuries. The two individuals who were stabbed have been identified as tourists who are not related to each other.

Upon arriving at the scene, officers immediately started CPR on the first victim while additional officers located the suspect. The suspect was detained and arrested a short time later and remains in custody at the Santa Monica Jail pending arraignment and the official filing of charges.

Cedeno is scheduled to be arraigned on May 22 in Dept. 30 of the Airport Courthouse. If convicted as charged, the maximum sentence is life in state prison, a bail of $2,155,000 was recommended for the defendant. The case is being investigated by the Santa Monica Police Department.

Anyone with details related to this incident is asked to contact Detective Burciaga at George.Burciaga@santamonica.gov or the Watch Commander 24 hours at 310-458-8427.

By Trevor

STUDIO CITY—A woman in her 50s died after she was stabbed in the neck after leaving a Metro Train at on Monday, April 22.

The incident transpired on 3900 block of Lankershim Boulevard shortly after 5 a.m. Paramedics were called to the scene to treat and transport the victim to a local hospital where she later died. The name of the victim has not been announced to the public.

LA Metro posted on X Monday morning:

“B LINE: Trains SKIP Universal/Studio City due to police activity. For alternate service, use North Hollywood and ride back to Universal via Metro bus shuttles or Line 224. Follow announcements.”

Metro was offering free rides to the public in honor of Earth Day (April 22).

A suspect was taken into custody by police. The name and age of the suspect has not been disclosed to the public. No details on a motive for the stabbing have been released to the public.

Anyone with details about the stabbing is asked to contact the LA Regional Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-222-TIPS or 800-222-8477

By Trevor

SANTA MONICA—One individual was stabbed near beach restrooms located near the end of Bicknell Avenue on Monday, July 31.

Officers responded to a 911 call of an assault with a deadly weapon in the 2000 block of the beach at approximately 2:07 p.m., according to a statement by Santa Monica Police Department.

Upon arrival, the officers located the victim near the beach bathrooms “suffering from at least one stab wound to the chest.”

Officers administered first aid and CPR until the Santa Monica Fire Department transported the victim to an unknown local hospital.

The suspect has yet to be identified and was immediately taken into custody at the scene.

No additional details have been provided to the public.

By Paige Strickland

TOPANGA—Detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department Valley Bureau Homicide are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the suspect responsible for killing a man on Monday, June 27.

The LAPD reported at around 7 a.m., Topanga Area patrol officers responded to a stabbing call at the intersection of Deering Avenue and Gault Street. Upon arrival, they discovered a male suffering from stab wounds. The victim was treated by paramedics from the Los Angeles Fire Department who pronounced him deceased. The victim’s identity is being withheld pending notification to next of kin.

Preliminary investigation revealed the victim was standing on the sidewalk with the suspect and other individuals. The suspect stabbed the victim and fled from the scene. The suspect is described as a Hispanic male with a blue shirt and black baseball cap.

Anyone with additional information is asked to call the Los Angeles Police Department, Valley Bureau Homicide, at (818) 374-9550. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org.

Tipsters may visit www.lapdonline.org, and click on “Anonymous Web Tips” under the “Get Involved-Crime Stoppers” menu to submit an online tip. Lastly, tipsters may also download the “P3 Tips” mobile application and select the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers as their local program.

By Casey