Man Dies After Being Stabbed with a Sword NR10293bb

June 3, 2010

Los Angeles:  Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) West Valley homicide detectives are asking the public to help locate a 34-year-old man wanted in connection with a murder.

On June 1, 2010 at about 10:05 pm, West Valley Area patrol officers responded to a 9-1-1 call about an assault with a deadly weapon involving a knife at a business in the 7600 block of Hayvenhurst Avenue.  When officers arrived, they met with three male victims who had been cut and stabbed by a sword-wielding coworker.  

Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics responded and transported all three to a local hospital for treatment.  One victim, a 30-year-old male from Canoga Park, died as a result of his injuries.  For now, his name is being withheld pending notification of family members.  The other two victims were treated; one was released and the other remains hospitalized.

West Valley homicide detectives were called to the scene to investigate.  The location is home to an adult entertainment business.  The initial investigation revealed that the victims and witnesses were socializing inside the closed business at the end of a work day.  The suspect, who has been identified as 34-year-old Stephen Clancy Hill of Canoga Park, was also present.  Without provocation, Hill became enraged and armed himself with a sword, typically used as a prop, which he then used to attack one victim.  Two additional victims attempted to assist the first victim and they became the focus of the attack.  One of these victims sustained the fatal wound.  Three witnesses, who were also present inside the business, ran from the location.    

Stephen Hill was last seen leaving the scene in a blue 1998 Toyota RAV 4 with a California license plate of 5YTC423.  The names of all the victims are being withheld pending the arrest of Stephen Hill.

Anyone with information about Hill’s whereabouts is urged to contact West Valley homicide detectives at 818-374-7730 during regular business hours.  During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7.   Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).  Tipsters may also contact Crimestoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.