2nd Teen Arrested In Connection To Stabbing Death Of Boy, 14, In East LA
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — A second teenager is under arrest in the stabbing death of a 14-year-old high school student in East Los Angeles.
A 14-year-old boy was taken into custody around 10:20 p.m. Tuesday in connection with the murder of Steven Cruz, who was killed Jan. 23 as he was walking home from Garfield High School, Los Angeles County homicide detectives said.
Cruz had stopped at Griffith Middle School to visit friends when a 13-year-old boy approached him, asked where he was from and then stabbed him in the torso, authorities said.
That boy, who officials say is believed to be a gang member, was charged Tuesday with murder.
"Investigators learned that the second juvenile provided the first arrested juvenile the knife that was used in the commission of the crime shortly before it occurred," Deputy Guillermina Saldaña said in a statement.
The second suspect was transported to East Los Angeles Sheriff's Station and booked for murder as well, CBS2/KCAL9's Dave Lopez said.
The 13-year-old suspect, who Lopez said looked no more than 10 and had a large scar across his neck, was charged in court Thursday. His attorney asked that he be allowed to leave jail on house arrest, but the judge refused. The teen walked up to the judge and presented a paper certificate for excellence in yoga, which he had apparently earned during his short time in custody.
The boy's family attended the court hearing but refused to give comment outside the Juvenile Detention Center.
Anyone with information about the incident was asked to contact the LA County Sheriff Department's Homicide Bureau at (323)890-5500. Anonymous tips can be made by calling "Crime Stoppers" at (800)222-TIPS (8477), or texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637). Tips can also be left anonymously online at lacrimestoppers.org.