Police were asking for the public’s help Wednesday in identifying three men seen on surveillance video who are wanted in the stabbing death of a 23-year-old man in the Westlake neighborhood of L.A.
The stabbing occurred around 10 p.m. June 23 during a confrontation between Oscar Lazo and three other men in the area of Rockwood Street and Union Avenue, according to a news release from the Los Angeles Police Department.
Surveillance video captured the initial confrontation outside a liquor store in the Belmont neighborhood, with the three men encircling Lazo outside a liquor store. One man held a skateboard.
The suspects then chased Lazo for about a block before stabbing him with an unknown weapon, police said.
One witness appeared to see the men chase after Lazo, the video shows.
Lazo was pronounced dead at the scene. His father said his son was not a gang member, and he believes robbery may be the motive, since Lazo’s wallet and cellphone are still missing.
Investigators don’t know why the victim was targeted or if the killing was gang related, LAPD Rampart Division homicide Detective Ray Martinez said.
Lazo’s father suspects robbery may be the motive, since his son’s wallet and cellphone are still missing.
Lazo’s 7-year-old daughter keeps asking when her father will return home, Martinez said.
Police initially described Lazo’s death as the result of a beating.
Anyone with information was asked to call Detectives R. Martinez or J. Audelo at 213-484-3642.
KTLA’s Melissa Pamer contributed to this article.
