USC Student, 19, Arrested After Fatal Stabbing Near Campus

A student rides his skateboard past an entrance to the University of Southern California campus in Los Angeles on April 11, 2012. (Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images)

A 19-year-old USC student was arrested June 17 for allegedly fatally stabbing a man near the University of Southern California’s Greek Row after multiple cars were broken into, Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) said.

Ivan Gallegos was booked on suspicion of murder and is being held on a $2 million bail, according to jail records. His name is listed in the USC student directory.

The incident was reported at around 8:15 p.m. Monday in the 700 block of West 28th Street, east of University Avenue. 

Mr. Gallegos allegedly approached the victim after witnessing him breaking into cars, LAPD Interim Chief Dominic Choi told the Police Commission on Tuesday. The victim allegedly threatened Mr. Gallegos by claiming to have a gun and  Mr. Gallegos fatally stabbed him, LAPD Interim Chief Dominic Choi told the Police Commission Tuesday.

The victim, in his 30s, was found by officers in a nearby alley with multiple stab wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

He was identified June 19 as Xavier Cerf, 27, according to LAPD Officer Tony Im and the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner’s office.

University officials didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.