1 Man Fatally Shot, 1 Stabbed during Altercation

February 23, 2008

Los Angeles: Los Angeles police are investigating a case where one man was fatally shot and the other stabbed during an altercation in North Hollywood early this morning.

Around 3:00 a.m., police were dispatched to a shooting call in the 5600 block of Cleon Avenue. When police arrived, they found Victor Baltazar, 27, suffering from a gunshot wound to his torso and Victor Santiago Sencion, 22, with a stab wound to his lower abdomen.

Baltazar was taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital where he later died. Sencion was also transported to a local hospital where he’s being treated for his injuries and remains in custody.

According to investigators, Baltazar was standing outside of a home talking to relatives. Sencion didn’t agree with Baltazar being in the neighborhood and challenged him to a fight. During the altercation, Sencion pulled out a handgun and brutally shot Baltazar.

Detectives are in the initial stages of their investigation and are unclear how Sencion was stabbed.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call North Hollywood Homicide Detective Richard Wheeler at 818-623-4075. After hours and on weekends, call the 24-hour toll free number at the Detective Information Desk at 1-877-LAW-FULL (529-3855).