A person was fatally stabbed just after getting off a Metro bus in South Los Angeles Tuesday afternoon.
At 2:10 p.m., Los Angeles Police Department officers responded to the Metro station at Slauson Avenue and the 110 Freeway, a spokesperson told KTLA 5 News.
Once the officers arrived, they found that the victim and assailant had exited the bus together before they got into an altercation. The assailant pulled out a blade and stabbed the victim multiple times before fleeing, police said.
That victim was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
The attacker, believed to be a white or Hispanic man about 30 years old, was still at large as of 3 p.m.
In a statement, Metro noted that “violence in the communities we serve spilling over onto our public transit systems continues to be an issue in Greater Los Angeles.”
“Metro extends its condolences to the family and friends of the victim,” the statement added.
This was the latest violent incident in or near Metro stations and vehicles in recent months. Shootings and stabbings have left several people dead, and in response, Metro officials are exploring the possibility of creating their own police force. It would supplant the LAPD, L.A. County Sheriff’s Department and Long Beach Police Department, which are contracted to secure public transit for Metro.
Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).
Nancy Fontan contributed to this report.