Homicide Victim Discovered During Robbery

Los Angeles: On Saturday, September 13, 2003, at about 1:30 a.m., patrol officers from the Los Angeles Police Department, Hollywood Division and Wilshire Division, responded to separate radio calls of a man with a gun and a call of a victim of a cutting at Fountain Avenue and the 101 Hollywood Freeway overpass.
Upon the officers’ arrival, they found that five male Hispanics had sustained multiple stab wounds during an incident that occurred at a homeless encampment on the embankment of the east side of the Hollywood Freeway, north of Fountain Avenue.

Hollywood Homicide Detectives responded and their investigation revealed that the original five stabbing victims were sleeping at the encampment when they were awakened by two men. One suspect was armed with a handgun and the other with a knife. The victims were lined up and forced to their knees, with their backs to the suspects. The suspects demanded money and drugs.

Failing to obtain any property, one of the suspects began to systematically stab all five victims. The victims fled in different directions and were eventually located and transported to a local hospital The suspects were described as male Hispanics wearing dark clothing.

Prior to the detectives’ arrival and as the Hollywood patrol officers were conducting their investigation, Wilshire Division officers were flagged down by the victim of a robbery. That victim indicated that he and a friend had just parked east bound on Fountain Avenue at St. Andrews Place and got out of their vehicle when they were approached by a male Hispanic armed with a handgun. The victim’s friend fled on foot and the suspect proceeded to rob the victim. The victim then ran north bound and jumped over the guard rail on the west side of the freeway in an attempt to evade the suspect. As he hid in the bushes, he saw a male Hispanic lying on the ground, who appeared to have sustained a gunshot wound.

Further investigation confirmed that a male Hispanic, 25 years-of-age, had in fact been shot and killed at that location. The victim’s identity is being withheld pending notification to his family.

The suspect is described as a male Hispanic, 5’ 7″, 160, 28/30 years-of-age.

It has not been determined if these three crimes are connected.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Hollywood Detectives at 213-485-6410, or a message may be left on the Hollywood Area Tip Line at 213-485-9168. On weekends and during off-hours, please call the 24-hour toll free number at the Detective Information Desk, 1-877-529-3855.

This press release was prepared by Detective Mike Thrasher, Hollywood Detective Division, 213-485-6410.