A University of Southern California student was taken into custody after he allegedly fatally stabbed a homeless man who was breaking into cars on the school’s Greek Row on Monday night.
Ivan Gallegos, 19, of Los Angeles, was booked in to jail on suspicion of murder and held on $2 million bond, NBC Los Angeles reported.
The deadly stabbing happened around 8:15 p.m. Monday on West 28th Street outside of a fraternity house following an apparent confrontation between the student and another man, who police said was homeless.
Gallegos told police when he confronted the man, the homeless man was armed with a gun, according to LAPD Chief Dominic Choi. But a law enforcement source told The Los Angeles Times no gun was recovered at the scene.
A blood trail led from the scene of the incident to an alleyway a short distance away where the man was found with multiple stab wounds.
“The male victim was breaking into vehicles at the location when the suspect confronted and stabbed the victim,” the LAPD said. “The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene by LAFD paramedics. The suspect remained at scene and was taken into custody without incident.”
The victim is believed to be in his 30s, but has not yet been identified by the county coroner.
Last year, another stabbing happened in the same alleyway. Zeta Beta Tau fraternity members say their house manager was stabbed by a homeless person, according to TheTimes.
That stabbing happened when the homeless man was confronted when he allegedly tried to steal a bike, according to Scott Conner, who is a member of the fraternity.
“The guys back there are pretty aggressive,” he told The Times. “A lot of homeless live there. There’s been this whole school year serial break ins, cars and houses. It’s expected.”
