Dog Killed, Woman Stabbed In Random Sword Attack

LOS ANGELES, CA — A 23-year-old man is in custody and a woman was seriously injured in an apparently random sword attack in the Mid-Wilshire area of Los Angeles, police said.

A dog believed to be the woman's pet was also killed in the attack. It's the second time in less than a month that a woman was randomly stabbed while walking down the street in Los Angeles. Authorities do not believe the incidents are connected.

Los Angeles Police Department officers were called to the 1200 block of South Victoria Avenue shortly before midnight, according to LAPD Officer Lizeth Lomeli.

"Upon officer’s arrival they observed the suspect walking in the middle of the street holding a sword," the LAPD said in a written release. "Officers attempted to de-escalate the situation and gave the suspect verbal commands to put the weapon down. The suspect refused to cooperate with the officer’s commands as he approached officers with sword in hand. The officers utilized less lethal force and a taser was deployed. The suspect was taken into custody without further incident."

Police arrested Eric Herrera on suspicion of attempted murder.

The victim, a 43-year-old woman, was rushed to a nearby hospital in stable condition. Authorities have not released a motive for the attack.

On Oct. 10, another woman was randomly attacked and stabbed in the head with scissors while walking down the street in North Hollywood. The 22-year-old victim walked into a nearby shop and collapsed. She is expected to recover. That inside was captured by security cameras, and police arrested a 30-year-old homeless man near the scene.

City News Service contributed to this report.