An 18-year-old man was charged with murder and other counts Wednesday stemming from the stabbing of a teen and two other people in El Monte.
Jonathan Alberto Castelan was arrested Monday in connection with the July 10 fatal stabbing of 15-year-old Aziel Zacapala, according to the El Monte Police Department.
Castelan was charged Wednesday with murder, attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon, according to police and court records. He pleaded not guilty during his arraignment in Pomona, and he is due back in court Aug. 24, when a date will be set for a hearing to determine if there is enough evidence for him to stand trial.
He remains jailed in lieu of $2 million bail, according to sheriff’s jail records.
According to the sheriff’s department, the stabbing occurred around 1 p.m. July 10 in the 9700 block of Fern St. Sheriff’s officials said the El Monte Police Department was notified by a local hospital after three stabbing victims arrived at the emergency department for treatment. The boy was pronounced dead at the hospital, but the other two people — who were not identified — survived.
El Monte police said Wednesday that investigators identified Castelan as the suspect in the attack, but no details were released on what led them to Castelan or what may have motivated the stabbing.
Anyone with information about the stabbing was urged to call the sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or visit lacrimestoppers.org.