Before Dying, Metro Stabbing Victim Shoots His Killer: LASD

HAWTHORNE, CA — A fight that broke out on a Metro train in Hawthorne Wednesday night left one man dead and another fighting for his life, authorities said.

According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, at about 7:23 p.m. a fight aboard the Metro Green Line escalated when one man repeatedly stabbed the other in the chest. Before dying, the stabbing victim shot his attacker. The fatal altercation comes as Los Angeles leaders acknowledge a crisis of violent crime plaguing the Metro system. It also occurred as crowds are being urged to use the very same Metro Line to attend the Taylor Swift concerts at SoFi Stadium this week.

Thursday morning, police were still piecing together the moments leading up to the fatal attack.

"Investigators learned that while on the train, the victim and suspect got into a physical altercation. During the incident, the victim produced a handgun as the suspect began to stab him," LASD said in a statement.

The victim was suffering from multiple stab wounds when authorities arrived and was transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead, according to LASD. No information was available about the victim's identity.

The suspect was apprehended by deputies as he exited the station at 11902 South Crenshaw Boulevard in Hawthorne and was also taken to a hospital to treat gunshot wounds in his upper torso, LASD said.

There are no other outstanding suspects in the case and the investigation is ongoing, the Sheriff's Department said.

Violent crime on Metro buses and trains is on the rise, according to an analysis from ABC7. In the past year, the number of homicides, rapes, assaults and robberies reported on Metro properties increased 14 to 16 percent, which is higher than pre-pandemic levels, ABC7 reported.

Anyone who may have additional information was urged to contact the LASD Homicide BUreu at 323-890-5500. Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling 800-222-8477 or online at LACrimeStoppers.org.