Los Angeles, Ca
Woman dies after 'unprovoked' attack at Los Angeles Metro station in Studio City
A woman in her 40s or 50s has died following another violent incident involving public transportation in Los Angeles.
The latest incident occurred around 5 a.m. Monday morning. The victim was stabbed as she exited the Universal City B Line Station at 3901 Lankershim Blvd, close to the major tourist attraction, Universal Studios.
The attacker fled the scene, but a combination of surveillance cameras and witness descriptions about the man and his distinctive clothing helped Los Angeles Police Department officers locate and arrest the suspect a short time later near Ventura Boulevard and Vineland Avenue.
Authorities say it appears that the suspect and the victim did not know each other.
“This does appear to be completely unprovoked from what witnesses have told detectives,” LAPD Det. Meghan Aguilar to KTLA 5’s Rachel Menitoff. “There was no altercation prior to this violent attack.”
Train service was halted for several hours as officers investigated at the Studio City station. A bus bridge service was available to riders between the North Hollywood and Hollywood-Highland stations, L.A. Metro spokesperson Dave Sotero said.
Some Metro riders say they have an elevated sense of fear when using public transportation.
“I take Metro every day and it’s gotten worse and worse,” Studio City resident Jackinman told KTLA. “It used to be that it was downtown only, but it’s come all the way out to the valley.”
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Police tape at the scene of a stabbing that left one woman dead at the Studio City Metro stop. The Los Angeles Police Department says it appears to be an unprovoked stabbing. The suspect was arrested on April 22, 2024. (KTLA) -
Although several high-profile violent incidents have occurred in rest months, passenger crime is down compared to last year. A woman was killed in an unprovoked attack while exiting a train at the Studio City station on April 22, 2024. (KTLA)
Metro released a statement about the incident.
“The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to the scene and the victim was transported to a local hospital where, unfortunately, she succumbed to her injuries. Metro extends its condolences to her family and friends,” the statement says.
Although there have been numerous deadly incidents in recent months aboard Metro, statistics show that passenger crime has dropped by roughly 10% compared to a year ago.
The LAPD hasn’t released any further details about the suspect.
Anyone with additional information on this crime is asked to call the LA Regional Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-222-TIPS or 800-222-8477.