Hollywood Stabbing Spree Results in Two Deaths A Third Victim Survives NR09386rf

Los Angeles: Yesterday afternoon, a series of three stabbings in Hollywood left two dead and another injured in a bizarre rampage that Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) detectives are still trying to unravel.  Fortunately, a suspect is in custody.

On Thursday, August 6, 2009, at 1:22 p.m., patrol officers from the LAPD Hollywood Area received a radio call of a man shot at 5525 Sunset Boulevard.  Upon arrival, the officers found the victim down in a parking lot suffering from a stab wound.  Paramedics from the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) responded and transported the victim to USC Medical Center where he failed to respond to life-saving efforts and was pronounced dead at 2:28 p.m.  

At 1:57 p.m., Hollywood Area officers received a second radio call of a stabbing at Hollywood Boulevard and Gower Street.  Again, LAFD paramedics responded and transported the victim to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center where he failed to respond to medical treatment and was pronounced dead at 2:47 p.m. 

Detectives who had responded to both murder locations immediately recognized the possibility that the two murders had been committed by the same suspect.  Then at 4:41 p.m., a third radio call reported another stabbing at Argyle Avenue and Yucca Street.  Paramedics were summoned one more time and rushed the victim to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center where he has been listed in stable condition.

About that time, responding officers and detectives from the second incident observed a man matching the suspect’s description in the immediate area of Argyle Avenue and Yucca Street and were able to take him into custody without incident.

The three victims were all White males who were transients, ages 51, 43, and 59.  The names of the deceased are not being released until family members can be notified.   The name of the third, surviving victim will not be released at this time, but the suspect has been identified as Domingo Rodas, an Hispanic male, 53 years of age.  His motive for killing and residential location remain unknown.

LAPD Hollywood Area homicide detectives are handling these murders and attempted murder.  Anyone who may have information regarding these crimes should contact detectives at 213-972-2967.  After-hours and on weekends, calls may be directed to a 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (527-3247) or by texting CRIMES (274637) and beginning the message with the letters LAPD.  Tipsters may also submit information on the LAPD website: www.lapdonline.org.  All tips may remain anonymous.