Graduate Student’s Death Under Investigation By LAPD NR14281an

July 24, 2014

UPDATE
July 28, 2014    NR14281SF

On Friday, July 25, 2014, four individuals were arrested for a series of crimes including the murder of Xinran Ji, a 24 year-old University of Southern California graduate student.

Suspect #1:               – Johnathan Del Carmen,
                                    19-years-old
Charges to be filed: – Murder with Special Circumstances
                                 – Booking #4042265

Suspect #2:                – Andrew Garcia, 18-years-old
Charges to be filed:  – Murder with Special Circumstances
                                  – Assault with a Deadly Weapon
                                 – Robbery    
                                – Booking #4042269

Subject #3:               – Male Juvenile
Charges to be filed: – Murder with Special Circumstances
                                 – Assault with a Deadly Weapon
                                 – Robbery

Subject #4:                – Female Juvenile
Charges to be filed:  – Murder with Special Circumstances
                                  – Assault with a Deadly Weapon
                                  – Robbery

Los Angeles:  A Graduate student’s death is under investigation by LAPD Criminal Gang Homicide Division following an assault early Thursday morning.

On July 24, 2014, investigators from the LAPD Criminal Gang Homicide Division responded to the 1200 block of 30th Street to conduct a homicide investigation.  The investigation stemmed from an earlier response by officers from Southwest Division who were summoned to the residence to conduct a death investigation.  The Southwest officers responded to the apartment around 7:00 a.m. where they discovered the victim inside his apartment.

The investigators described the victim as a 24 year-old male Chinese International graduate student who was attending the University of Southern California.  The investigation indicates that the victim was assaulted around 12:45 a.m. in the area of 29th Street and Orchard Avenue while he walked towards his residence on 30th Street.  Investigators believe the victim was assaulted by at least three suspects as he walked home.  The victim was struck with an unknown blunt object during the assault and the motive for the attack is still under investigation.  Following the attack the victim was able to make his way back to his apartment a short distance away where he was found dead later that morning.

Investigators worked throughout the day on the investigation and continue to follow leads and tips related to this murder.  Anyone who may have witnessed the crime or any incident that occurred in the area of 29th Street and Orchard Avenue early this morning is urged to contact the LAPD Criminal Gang and Homicide Division.

Anyone with information is urged to call Criminal Gang Homicide Division at (213) 485-4341.  During off-hours, calls should be directed to a 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (527-3247).  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).  Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters may also go to www.lapdonline.org. and click on "Anonymous Web Tips.”