Crime & Safety

Samurai Sword Attack Nearly Severs Man's Arm: Reports

The assailant's bail was set at $1 million, according to the sheriff's department.

LOS ANGELES — A man accused of attacking another with a samurai sword outside an affordable housing complex in Venice was arrested over the weekend, according to reports.

Justin Lee Tucker, 29, was arrested Saturday with bail set at $1 million, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. He was taken into custody near Venice Beach on suspicion of attempted murder, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The attack occurred around 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the area of the 700 block of Rose Avenue, according to Public Information Officer Tony Im, who said the victim was stabbed with a sword and taken to the hospital. The attacker fled the scene, Im said.

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The incident unfolded outside Venice Community Housing — where Tucker was a resident — and was tied to an argument over property between Tucker and his 27-year-old victim, the Times reported.

The California Post described the weapon as “a 16-inch samurai blade,” and the attack left the victim’s arm spewing blood and nearly severed, according to the Times.

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Erika Lee, co-director of Venice Community Housing, told the Times that the nonprofit takes safety seriously and was meeting with residents.

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