Los Angeles: On July 11, 2004, at around 12:45 a.m., Rampart Area patrol officers responded to the report of a victim who had been stabbed. The stabbing occurred in the stairwell between the 5^th and 6^th floors of a hotel located in the 2200 block of West 8^th Street.

Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics responded to the hotel, rendered aid, then transported the victim to a local hospital where he passed away from his injuries.

Rampart Homicide Detectives have found that the victim, a 47 year-old male Hispanic was talking with a group of Hispanic men when he and the suspect began to argue. The suspect described as a 19 to 24 year-old male Hispanic with black medium length hair, dark eyes, standing approximately 5’5" to 5’6" tall, weighing 130 to140 pounds, armed himself with a knife and stabbed the victim in the upper torso. The suspect and witnesses then left the crime scene on foot.

Neither the suspect or the murder weapon have been located and the motive for this crime is unknown. In addition, the name of the victim is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

The Los Angeles Police Department is seeking assistance from the community, asking witnesses or anyone with information to contact Rampart Homicide

Detectives C. Silva or M. Mota. They can be reached at 213-207-2060 during normal business hours. On weekends or after hours, contact the toll free 24-hour number at the Detective Information desk at 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).

This news release was prepared by the Los Angeles Police Department’s Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.