Man Stabbed to Death during Argument

January 24, 2007

Los Angeles: A 47-year-old man was stabbed to death by his neighbor when he tried to intervene in a dispute between the neighbor and the landlord, two days ago, January 22, 2007.

Tam Phoune Le, 48, was arguing with his landlord just before 10:00 P.M., Monday night, at a house in the 7500 block of La Salle Avenue. At one point, Le attacked the landlord with a knife. When neighbor Francisco Zarate Preciado stepped between the two men, Le stabbed Preciado in the chest.

Preciado and the landlord were treated at a local hospital for stab wounds. While the landlord is expected to survive, Preciado died of his wounds.

Police officers detained Le a short time after the attack near the intersection of Florence Avenue and Normandie Street. His shirt was stained with blood. Le was booked for murder and no bail was immediately set.

Anyone with information on this murder is asked to call 77th Homicide Detectives Rocky Sato or Herman Frettlohr at 213-485-1383. On weekends or during off-hours, please call the 24-hour toll–free Detective Information Desk at 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).