[symple_googlemap title=”Stabbing death” location=”8800 block of Beachy Avenue, Los Angeles, CA” height=”300″ zoom=”15″]
Updated 11:50 p.m. Dec. 21, 2014
A 37-year-old man who was stabbed to death today in Arleta on Sunday was identified tonight by the coroner’s office, and his 22-year- old next-door neighbor was arrested over an alleged reckless driving incident that escalated into murder, according to police.
Police said they are searching for two additional suspects in the death, who possibly are armed.
Neighbors heard loud noises on the street about 4 a.m. near Beachy Avenue and Tonopah Street, Los Angeles police Lt. Paul Vernon said.
“One description was that someone was doing donuts in the street, screeching tires,” Vernon said. “But no one called police right away.”
The victim, Edgar Barrientos, and his neighbor heard the noises and stopped out of their houses to investigate, according to Vernon and the L.A. coroner’s office. They were confronted by the driver of a silver Honda Accord — who also was a neighbor — and a passenger in the car, Vernon said.
The car’s driver was armed with a knife. He and two passengers reportedly started to beat the 37-year-old Barrientos, until the neighbor stepped in to help him, Vernon added.
“At least two other assailants turned their attack on this second neighbor, who retreated to his home,” Vernon continued. “The attackers then turned their attention back to the original victim, whom they stabbed multiple times.”
Two suspects left the Honda, leaving the car’s owner behind. Arriving officers detained that 22-year-old man in his home, he said.
Paramedics rushed Barrientos to Providence Holy Cross Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, Vernon said.
“We have yet to identify the two outstanding suspects, apparently friends of the man we detained,” Vernon added. “We’ll get to the bottom of it soon, but in the meantime, if anyone has information about this incident, we’d like them to call.”
Both suspects were described as Latino men in their 20s, one tall with a beard, wearing a hat and armed with a gun. The other was shorter and armed with a knife.
LAPD”s Mission Station detectives asked anyone with any information regarding the stabbing attack to call them at (818) 838-9800.
— City News Service