A student from the University of Southern California was arrested after he allegedly stabbed and killed a homeless man who was breaking into cars near the school’s Greek Row on Monday night.
Ivan Gallegos, 19, from Los Angeles, was taken into custody and charged with murder. The incident occurred around 8:15 p.m. on West 28th Street outside a fraternity house, following a confrontation between Gallegos and the homeless man.
Gallegos claimed the homeless man was armed with a gun, but no gun was found at the scene, according to LAPD Chief Dominic Choi. A blood trail led to an alleyway where the man was discovered with multiple stab wounds.
The LAPD stated, “The male victim was breaking into vehicles at the location when the suspect confronted and stabbed the victim. The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene by LAFD paramedics. The suspect remained at the scene and was taken into custody without incident.”
The victim, believed to be in his 30s, has not yet been identified by the coroner’s office.
This incident comes after a similar stabbing last year in the same alleyway, where a Zeta Beta Tau fraternity house manager was stabbed by a homeless person allegedly trying to steal a bike, according to fraternity member Scott Conner. Conner mentioned, “The guys back there are pretty aggressive. A lot of homeless live there. There’s been this whole school year serial break-ins, cars and houses. It’s expected.”