A 19-year-old University of Southern California (USC) student, Ivan Gallegos, has been arrested for the alleged stabbing and killing of a homeless man accused of breaking into cars near the university’s campus. The incident took place on Monday evening on West 28th Street, in an area known as Greek Row.
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) reported that officers responded to a call about an assault with a deadly weapon at around 8:15 p.m. They found a homeless man, in his thirties, with stab wounds and pronounced him dead at the scene. The identity of the victim has not been disclosed.
Gallegos, who stayed at the scene, told police that he confronted the man after seeing him attempting to break into cars. He claimed the man threatened him with a gun, but no firearm was discovered. Gallegos, a member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity, was arrested on suspicion of murder and is being held on $2 million bail.
Local residents and students have reported an increase in car break-ins by homeless individuals in the area. Scott Conner, a fellow fraternity member, stated, “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.”
The LAPD released a statement indicating that Gallegos acted after witnessing the attempted theft, leading to the fatal confrontation. Witnesses reported seeing a trail of blood between fraternity houses, suggesting the homeless man tried to escape before collapsing.
Gallegos has been described as an electronic music artist with a challenging upbringing, marked by his parents’ involvement in gang activities and subsequent incarcerations. Despite these hardships, he focused on his music career, honing his skills as a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist.
Adam Pierpoint, a homeless man sleeping nearby during the incident, told the Los Angeles Times that while he was not surprised a student confronted someone breaking into a car, he emphasized that most students do not bother him. “I’m homeless, but I’m not a pest,” Pierpoint said.
LAPD Chief Dominic Choi confirmed that no gun was found at the scene, despite Gallegos’ assertion. The investigation is ongoing as authorities work to piece together the events leading to the tragic outcome.
