Tag: Stabbing

SMPD Investigating Stabbing Near 5th And Broadway

October 19, 2024 ·

Photo courtesy of Walter Cicchetti.

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

Suspect In Murder Of Brianna Kupfer Sentenced To Life In Prison

October 3, 2024 ·

Brianna Kupfer. Photo courtesy of LinkenIn.

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

BHPD Investigating Stabbing Incident

September 30, 2024 ·

Photo courtesy of Scott Warman.

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

Homicide Investigation Underway By SMPD

September 10, 2024 ·

Photo courtesy of the Santa Monica Police Department.

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

Larry Ameyal Cedeno Charged With Stabbing Two Tourists

May 22, 2024 ·

A suspect who stabbed two tourists from Germany has been charged in court. Photo by Thanh Tran via Unsplash.

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

Woman Dies After Stabbing At Metro Station

April 22, 2024 ·

Photo by Tada Images/Shutterstock.

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

Victim Stabbed Near Beach Restrooms

August 1, 2023 ·

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

Suspect Wanted In Stabbing Death At Canoga Park

June 28, 2022 ·

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