Tag: stabbing incident

WOODLAND HILLS/TOPANGA CANYON—On Friday, July 31, around 9:40 a.m., a driver in his mid-30s allegedly stabbed another motorist during a road rage confrontation at the corner of Topanga Canyon Boulevard and Mulholland Drive in Woodland Hills. The suspect, described as wearing an orange or yellow hat and a safety uniform, fled the scene in a dark gray Acura.

According to Los Angeles Police Department Media Relations Officer Jeff Miller, the suspect was later taken into custody about two miles away, near Topanga Canyon Boulevard and Dumetz Road. The Los Angeles Fire Department arrived on scene to treat the victim before he was transported to a hospital, where their condition is unknown.

The suspect could face potential felony charges, such as assault with a deadly weapon, attempted murder, or mayhem, though nothing has been confirmed.

Drivers are reminded that the safest response to a road rage confrontation is to avoid engaging, stay in the vehicle with doors locked, and contact police rather than exiting to confront another driver.

By Milan Manesh

WOODLAND HILLS—A reported stabbing occurred at Westfield Topanga Mall on Tuesday, July 28, before 1 p.m. The incident transpired inside a parking garage and reportedly involved two possibly intoxicated individuals. Firefighters and paramedics arrived around 1 p.m. at 6600 Topanga Canyon Boulevard, just north of Victory Boulevard.

One person was taken into custody by the Los Angeles Police Department, and the other individual was rushed to the hospital. A video circulating online shows the entrance to the parking structure temporarily blocked off as police began their investigation. Both individuals remain unidentified, and their conditions are unknown. Westfield Topanga Mall remained open for business and maintained its usual hours of operation.

This is the third stabbing incident at Westfield Topanga Mall within the past seven months. On December 18, 2025, two teenagers were robbed of their gold chains and stabbed near the mall’s entrance. On March 13, 2026, a separate robbery-related stabbing occurred inside the mall itself, at the Pro Image Sports store on the second floor.

Shoppers are urged to stay alert in parking structures and entrances, and to report any suspicious activity to mall security or the LAPD immediately.

By Milan Manesh

SANTA MONICA—Lt. Erika Aklufi of the Santa Monica Police Department informed Canyon News via email on October 28, that a suspect connected to a stabbing that transpired earlier in the month has been arrested.

Authorities reported on October 16 around 7 p.m., officers responded to the 500 block of Broadway about a call of a bleeding man lying on the sidewalk.

Upon arrival, officers discovered the victim was stabbed. He was identified as being homeless, after his recent arrival to Santa Monica from Kentucky. He was able to provide a general description of the suspect along with a possible first name. Through surveillance video and follow-up investigation, SMPD Detectives identified a suspect.

On October 23, Damian Garcia, 23, was located and arrested for the assault. Garcia is also homeless and new to Santa Monica from Florida. During his arraignment on October 25, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office filed one felony count of 245(a)(1)PC (Assault with a Deadly Weapon with Great Bodily Injury).

Garcia is additionally being held on a fugitive warrant from Florida and will face extradition. He remains in custody of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Garcia’s criminal history includes Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Burglary to an Inhabited Dwelling, Vehicle Theft, Armed Robbery, and Resisting Arrest with Violence.

Anyone with additional details about the stabbing is asked to contact Det. Ben Jenkins at (310) 458-4884, Sgt. Chad Goodwin at (310) 458-8931, or the Watch Commander desk 24 hours a day at (310) 458-8427.

By Trevor