Ivan Gallegos, 19, was arrested after he fatally stabbed a homeless man who reportedly threatened him while trying to break in. The violent confrontation occurred Monday night on Fraternity Row at the University of Southern California.
Gallegos got into an argument with the man who reportedly broke into the vehicle, according to Los Angeles Police Department Capt. Jamie Bennett. The exact circumstances of the altercation are still under investigation.
The Los Angeles Police Department issued the following press release:
On June 17, 2024 at approximately 8:15 pm, LAPD Southwest officers responded to ADW in reference to a knife investigation in the 700 block of West 28th Street. The male victim was at the scene breaking into vehicles and the suspect confronted and stabbed the victim.
LAFD paramedics pronounced the victim dead at the scene. The suspect remained at the scene and was taken into custody without incident.
The suspect in the incident has been identified as 19-year-old Los Angeles resident Ivan Gallegos. Booking number 6830958. The Southern Homicide Bureau is investigating.
Gallegos’ friends claimed he stabbed the man to death in self-defense.
They told LA Magazine they called police after hearing sirens and spotting a man inside a parked car.
They described the man’s aggressive behavior and his claims to have a gun.
More from LA Magazine:
It’s unclear what happened, but friends said they called police before the argument began and reported the car being broken into. The man died a short time later and Gallegos was taken into police custody.
“He feared for his life,” a friend of Gallegos said. “He has to defend himself.”
The owner of the car is a friend of Gallegos, he told us Los Angeles. His car was taken away by police for investigation. The car was returned to the owner, but there was still visible blood on the driver’s seat. angels Interior photos were obtained confirming the presence of these stains.
Witnesses did not say where the knife came from or how many times Gallegos stabbed the man.
A first-generation college student from Boyle Heights studying business and music, Gallegos was involved in USC organizations and clubs such as the Latino Business Students Association and the Latino Student Assembly. He is also director of the USC Mariachi Band and leads a nonprofit called If I Don’t Do It, Who Will?
