21-Year-Old Dies in Suspected Gang Related Stabbing

***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***

Date: January 31, 2009
Contact: Press Information Officer Jason Zuhlke

Whittier, CA. – As a 21-year-old Hispanic man from Whittier was walking eastbound in the area of 12700 Wardman Street with his girlfriend at 7:45pm, two Hispanic men in their 30’s approached and began to question him regarding gang affiliation. According to the victim’s girlfriend, a 16 year-old from Whittier, the victim initially tried to avoid conflict before running away from the would be assailants. A short distance later however, both suspects caught the victim and began stabbing him. After delivering the wounds, the suspects fled southbound in the West alley of Milton Avenue and out of sight while the victim and his girlfriend ran North on Milton Avenue into the 7000 block. Bleeding profusely, the victim ran into a house in the area and collapsed on the floor where he would later expire. The homeowner would contact the Whittier Police Department who responded immediately and initiated CPR before paramedics from the LACO Fire Department continued to administer first aid to no avail.

Both suspects were described as male Hispanics in their 30’s clad in “gang” attire and wearing dark colored baseball hats. The suspect who stabbed the victim was further described as wearing long shorts with high socks and a dark jersey with “LA” written on the front in white letters. The second suspect was only further described as wearing long, dark-colored pants. As of this time, the motive behind this stabbing is unknown.

Anyone with information pertaining to this case or to the identity of the suspects is urged to contact the Whittier Police Department immediately at (562) 945-8250.

Additional inquiries may be directed to PIO J. Zuhlke at (562) 945-8282

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