A 19-year-old USC student will not be facing charges after he fatally stabbed a homeless car thief who was breaking into cars on the USC campus.
(PLGNN) - Ivan Gallegos, 19, was arrested on Monday, June 17 for allegedly stabbing a homeless man to death. The homeless man, later identified as Xavier Cerf, 28, was seen breaking into cars outside of Gallegos's fraternity house.
After calling 911, Gallegos and two others went to confront Cerf, with Gallegos being armed with a knife and another witness holding a large wooden stick. When they asked Cerf to leave, Cerf said he had a gun while simultaneously reaching down to his waist, causing a struggle during which Gallegos stabbed Cerf four times. Gallegos and the others then waited for police to arrive. Prosecutors did not reveal whether a gun was found at the scene.
Gallegos was initially arrested on suspicion of murder, with bail set at $2 million. He has no previous criminal record.
On Thursday, Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón declined to file any charges against Gallegos.
“We believe that Mr. Gallegos’s actions were driven by a genuine fear for his life and the lives of others,” Gascón said. “Our heart goes out to the deceased’s family, friends, and everyone impacted by this tragic incident.”
Gallegos is a first-generation Latino student attending the Marshall School of Business who has a passion for music. Both of his parents were involved in gang activity and spent intermittent times in jail. Gallegos is a member of Delta Tau Fraternity and created a non-profit called "Project Dream," which aims to provide guidance and resources to underserved communities affected by gang violence, substance abuse, and poverty.
(PLGNN) - Ivan Gallegos, 19, was arrested on Monday, June 17 for allegedly stabbing a homeless man to death. The homeless man, later identified as Xavier Cerf, 28, was seen breaking into cars outside of Gallegos's fraternity house.
After calling 911, Gallegos and two others went to confront Cerf, with Gallegos being armed with a knife and another witness holding a large wooden stick. When they asked Cerf to leave, Cerf said he had a gun while simultaneously reaching down to his waist, causing a struggle during which Gallegos stabbed Cerf four times. Gallegos and the others then waited for police to arrive. Prosecutors did not reveal whether a gun was found at the scene.
Gallegos was initially arrested on suspicion of murder, with bail set at $2 million. He has no previous criminal record.
On Thursday, Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón declined to file any charges against Gallegos.
“We believe that Mr. Gallegos’s actions were driven by a genuine fear for his life and the lives of others,” Gascón said. “Our heart goes out to the deceased’s family, friends, and everyone impacted by this tragic incident.”
Gallegos is a first-generation Latino student attending the Marshall School of Business who has a passion for music. Both of his parents were involved in gang activity and spent intermittent times in jail. Gallegos is a member of Delta Tau Fraternity and created a non-profit called "Project Dream," which aims to provide guidance and resources to underserved communities affected by gang violence, substance abuse, and poverty.
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