Fight Over Cell Phone Leads To Critical Stabbing In Redondo Beach
REDONDO BEACH (CBSLA.com) — Authorities said the fight between two acquaintances over a cell phone Thursday led to one of the men being left in critical condition following a stabbing.
The stabbing occurred just before noon on Hawthorne Boulevard near 177th Street, according to Capt. Jeff Hink of the Redondo Beach Police Department.
Hink said the unidentified victim and 18-year-old suspect -- identified as Kenneth James Tofaeono of Torrance -- were apparently fighting over a cell phone reportedly stolen from the victim Wednesday.
Officials said Tofaeono was confronted by the victim, whose age was not available, in the parking lot of an Islands restaurant located in the 1600 block of Hawthorne Boulevard.
A physical altercation spilled onto the busy boulevard, and once the two men reached the center median, the suspect allegedly stabbed the victim multiple times in the upper body, Hink said.
Police said a witness was able to tackle and detain Tofaeono until they arrived. Tofaeono has been charged with attempted murder. He is being held in lieu of a $500,000 bail.
The victim was taken to a hospital for treatment of what is being described as "life-threatening injuries."