
A 19-year-old student at the University of Southern California (USC) has been arrested after allegedly stabbing and killing a homeless man who was reportedly trying to steal cars near the campus. The incident occurred on Monday evening on West 28th Street, outside the university’s Greek Row, where many students reside.
According to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), officers responded to a call about an assault with a deadly weapon at approximately 8:15 p.m. Upon arrival, they discovered a homeless man with fatal stab wounds. The man, believed to be in his thirties, was pronounced dead at the scene, though his identity has not been released.
The suspect, identified as Ivan Gallegos, remained at the scene and informed police that he had confronted the homeless man after witnessing him attempting to break into vehicles. Gallegos claimed the man threatened to have a gun, but no firearm was found at the scene. Gallegos, a USC student and member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity, was arrested on suspicion of murder and held on $2 million bail.
Scott Conner, another fraternity member, told the Los Angeles Times that car break-ins by homeless individuals have become a frequent issue in the area. “The guys back there are pretty aggressive. A lot of homeless live there. There’s been this whole school year serial break-ins, cars, and houses,” Conner said.
Witnesses reported seeing a trail of blood between fraternity houses, indicating a struggle or an attempt by the injured man to flee before succumbing to his wounds. The incident has highlighted the ongoing tensions between students and the local homeless population.
Gallegos, described as an electronic music artist with a troubled upbringing, grew up in an environment marked by gang activity and parental incarceration. Despite these challenges, he focused on his music, developing his talents as an instrumentalist and vocalist.
Adam Pierpoint, a homeless man who was sleeping nearby at the time of the incident, expressed a lack of surprise that a student would confront someone breaking into a car, though he noted that students typically do not bother him. “I’m homeless, but I’m not a pest,” Pierpoint said.
The incident is under investigation, with the LAPD Chief Dominic Choi confirming that no gun was found at the scene, despite Gallegos’ claim. The case continues to unfold as authorities gather more information about the circumstances surrounding the fatal confrontation.