Man Stabbed in Park, Dies at Local Hospital NR12091kr

Los Angeles:  An argument at a busy park Wednesday afternoon escalated to a fistfight and quickly turned deadly when one man stabbed the other to death.

On February 21, 2012, at around 2 p.m., Olympic Area officers were called to a stabbing incident at Normandie Park located at 1550 South Normandie Avenue.  When they arrived, officers found one man suffering from multiple stab wounds lying on the grass near the playground area on the west side of the park.  Children had been playing in the area prior to the fight.  The suspect left the area on foot and was found a short time later hiding in a yard a couple blocks from the park.  Detectives are still trying to determine a motive for the stabbing.

The victim, whose name is being withheld until his family can be notified, was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later.  He is a Hispanic man in his 20’s.

The suspect, 24-year-old Jesus Molina, has been arrested and booked for murder.  He is being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center for Murder and a parole violation.  He has no bail.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call West Bureau Homicide Detectives, Detective Jeffrey Sandefur at 213-382-9434.   During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247).  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 LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.