Teen Stabbing Victims Were Attacked By Group Of 10 Outside LA High

LOS ANGELES, CA — Two teens are in stable condition after suffering stab wounds while being attacked by as many as 10 people outside Los Angeles High School Monday, and investigators are still looking for those responsible.

The stabbings occurred around 4:30 p.m. Monday near the school in the 4600 block of Olympic Boulevard, between West and Rimpau boulevards. In a statement, the Los Angeles Police Department said the violence "was the result of an on-campus dispute."

The injured students, aged 15 and 16, were taken to a hospital with stab wounds to the upper back, right arm and right leg, according to Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore.

Moore told the Police Commission Tuesday the injured students "were apparently attacked by as many at 10" males ranging in age from 15 to 20.

Detectives conducted a follow-up to the 2300 block of West Jefferson Boulevard where they detained one man and two youths, according to the LAPD.

"Over the course of their investigation, we have detained three individuals that we believe had some aspects of involvement in this," Moore said. "None of them attended the L.A. High School."

Police ended up arresting a 17-year-old on suspicion of possessing a firearm inside of a vehicle. Police released the two others — 14-year-old boy and an adult male, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

Moore said investigators have yet to determine a "motivation for this or what precipitated this violence."

In addition, Moore said, "Our investigation has also recovered two knives and two handguns," Moore said. "Our interviews are evolving."

According to police, one of the victims is a student at the High School, and witnesses described what they thought was a fistfight between 6-10 people including some who may be students on the sidewalk area of Olympic Boulevard and Rimpau Boulevard.

Two vehicles thought to be a black Toyota and a red Cadillac were seen leaving the vicinity at the
end of the fight, according to police.

After the attack, Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Alberto Carvalho called it "another senseless stabbing in our community near Los Angeles High School."

"Our thoughts go out to the two victims and their families," he said. "All of our students deserve to go to school free of fear and full of hope. We must work together to continue to provide safe passages to and from school.

"Law enforcement is currently investigating this incident, and we are working with the school to ensure our campus remains safe. Counselors and mental health support will be provided to those who may need it in school tomorrow."

The Los Angeles Times reported that school police had been near the campus until shortly before the stabbings occurred as part of the "safe passage" program, which provides patrols before and after school.

Units left the school to respond to a report that a gun had been found at another campus.

City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.