Los Angeles: On Tuesday, May 7, 2002, at approximately 5:40 PM, Devonshire Area patrol officers responded to a radio call regarding an assault in progress inside an apartment building located on the 8700 block of Canby Avenue, in Northridge. Upon arriving at the scene, the officers were directed to an upper floor of the multiple-level complex, and located a critically wounded victim of an apparent stabbing.

The preliminary investigation revealed that the victim, later identified as Daren Carter, a 41 year-old resident of Van Nuys, engaged in an argument with a suspect, who was identified as George Meadors. The dispute escalated into a physical struggle, and culminated with the victim being stabbed in the upper body. It was determined that Mr. Carter and Mr. Meadors knew one another and, though they are not residents of the apartment building, they shared common associates who reside at that location. The suspect left the building after the stabbing and was believed to have fled in his own vehicle. The victim was transported to Northridge Hospital, and was ultimately pronounced dead by an attending physician.

Further investigation yielded a possible address for Mr. Meadors in the 15900 block of Victory Boulevard, in Van Nuys. Officers attempted to locate the suspect at his apartment, however he was not present. As the officers were leaving, they spotted Mr. Meadors driving his vehicle. A brief following ensued which led to the suspect's arrest without incident. George Meadors, 52 years of age, a resident of Van Nuys, was booked at Devonshire Area Jail for murder. His bail was set at $1,000,000.

The motive for the attack remains under investigation.

Devonshire Homicide Detectives J. Fleming and D. Holmes are in charge of the investigation.

This press release was prepared by Public Information Officer Eduardo Funes, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.