Vigil Held For 3 Boys Stabbed To Death In South LA
SOUTH LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Neighbors, friends and family gathered in South LA on Wednesday night to bid a tearful farewell and say prayers for three boys who were stabbed to death Wednesday morning. Police said the boys were killed by their father, who is in the hospital Wednesday night with what are believed to be self-inflicted stab wounds.
Paramedics were called to the scene on the 300 block of East 32nd Street at around 7 a.m., where they found the three boys and the man in a silver Nissan SUV parked along the curb. The three young boys, who ranged in age from 8 to 12, had been stabbed to death inside the SUV and the father was found in the front seat with stab wounds that were believed to be self-inflicted. Police said they also found a knife in the car.
Police confirmed that the boys' father was in custody and was the only suspect in the crime. A family member identified the boys as Juan, Luigi and Alex Fuentes. Their father was identified as Luis Fuentes.
The deadly stabbing has shocked many neighbors and classmates of the boys.
One neighbor, who asked not to be identified, said there had been tension at the family's house after the boys' mother died three years ago and their father remarried. The neighbor said the boys' stepmother had attempted to kick the boys out of the home as recently as Tuesday. A family member said Luis Fuentes was also facing financial challenges.
A prayer vigil for the boys was held at 7 p.m. at the crime scene, at 301 E. 32nd St.
Family members and friends remembered the three boys as vibrant kids who were always seen around the neighborhood playing outside.
Luis Fuentes was said to be recovering in the hospital on Wednesday night in stable condition.
