16-year-old Boy Fatally Stabbed

Los Angeles: A 16-year-old boy was fatally stabbed to death early this morning in the Rampart Area.

Around 7:15 a.m., police were dispatched to a stabbing call in the 1400 block of West 3rd Street and found Jose Luis Lopez lying on the sidewalk suffering from stab wounds.  Lopez was taken to  University of Southern California Medical Center where he died shortly after.

According to investigators, a man confronted Lopez and began arguing with him.  Afterwards, a fight broke out.  During the fight, the man used a sharp object and stabbed Lopez.  The victim staggered to a nearby business to ask for help.

The motive for the stabbing appears to be gang related and police are asking for the public's assistance in finding a Hispanic man, 16-25 years of age, with a shaved head.

Anyone with information is asked to call Rampart Homicide Detectives J. Breuer or M. Arteaga at 213-207-2000.  During off-hours, call the toll free 24-hour Detective Information Desk at 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).

Callers may remain anonymous.