KTLA

Man arrested in fatal stabbing of car burglary suspect outside USC frat house

A 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder in the fatal stabbing of a burglary suspect who was allegedly breaking into cars on USC’s Greek Row in Los Angeles Monday night.

The incident was reported around 8:15 p.m. in the 700 block of West 28th Street in the University Park neighborhood.


Arriving officers found an unidentified man in his 30s suffering from stab wounds in an alleyway.

Police investigate a fatal stabbing on USC’s Greek Row on June 17, 2024. (KNN News)

The man, who was believed to be homeless, was pronounced dead at the scene, a Los Angeles Police Department spokesperson confirmed.

Investigators believe he was trying to break into vehicles when the 19-year-old came upon him.

“There was some type of altercation between the witness and the person that was breaking into a vehicle. We’re trying to determine what the circumstances of that altercation were,” LAPD Capt. Jamie Bennett said.

At some point, police say the 19-year-old, later identified as Ivan Gallegos, produced a knife and stabbed the burglary suspect multiple times.

Gallegos stayed at the scene and was arrested after being questioned by police.

It was unclear if Gallegos was a USC student.

He was booked on suspicion of murder and is being held on $2 million bail, police posted on X, formerly Twitter.