Los Angeles: On Thursday, September 2, 2004, at 3:20p.m., West Valley
patrol officers responded to an "Ambulance Cutting" radio call at the bus bench at Saticoy Street and Tampa Avenue in Reseda. The responding officers located a 13-year-old girl who had sustained a laceration to her neck. The victim advised the officers that she, her 17-year-old sister, and their 12-year-old girlfriend, were all waiting for the bus when a lone male assailant walked up to her front behind and slashed at her neck for no apparent reason. The suspect fled on foot. The victim was transported by Los Angeles City Fire Department paramedics to Northridge Hospital. She was treated for a laceration to her neck and released shortly thereafter.

The suspect was described as a male Hispanic, light complexion, 15 to 20 years old, 5’6 to 5’10, 150 to 180 pounds, clean shaven except for a slight growth of hair on his chin, wearing a white sleeveless t-shirt and baggy blue levis pants.

This incident matches three other recent occurrences in the Reseda area, all possibly committed by the same suspect. The suspect appears to select his victims randomly and the motive is unknown.

On August 17 at 8:40p.m., a lone male approached a 38-year-old male who was standing near a fast food stand at Tampa Avenue and Vanowen Street and stabbed him in the neck. The victim in this incident was hospitalized for a laceration to his neck.

On August 9 at 11:00p.m., a 53-year-old man was walking his dog in the 7300 block of Canby Avenue in Reseda, when a lone male Hispanic approached the him from behind and stabbed him several times in the neck and chest. The suspect fled and the victim was hospitalized in critical condition. The victim has since recovered from his wounds and has been released from the hospital.

On June 25 at 3:30p.m., a 58-year-old woman was with two other women waiting for a bus at 19271 Sherman Way in Reseda, when a lone male Hispanic approached her. The man slashed her neck, then ran away. The victim was treated and released at Northridge Hospital.

Anyone with information regarding any of these incidents is asked to call the West Valley Homicide Unit at 818-342-0449.

This news release was prepared by Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.