Two stabbings at or near different Metro bus stations on Wednesday are the latest in a series of violent attacks on Los Angeles County's public transportation system in recent months.
Officials received a call from Union Station security shortly after noon Wednesday reporting that a man had been stabbed near the bus turnaround area on the east side of the station. Metro spokesman Jose Ubaldo said the man was stabbed on Arcadia Street and then walked to Union Station, where security officers called for help.
The Los Angeles Fire Department arrived at the scene near Vignes Street at 12:11 p.m. after the Los Angeles Police Department cleared the scene, LAFD spokesman Brian Humphrey said.
The suspect was gone when police arrived, Los Angeles Police Department spokesman Carlos Maldonado said. The victim, a man, was taken to a hospital for treatment but has been uncooperative, he said.
The Los Angeles Police Department did not provide further information about the extent of the injuries or identify or describe the suspect or the victim.
Hours before that incident, a stabbing was reported at the Slauson station on the J express bus line near the 110 Freeway at 8:35 a.m. The victim and suspect were gone when police arrived, LAPD Officer Kevin Terzes said.
The suspect was described as a Latino man in his 30s wearing painter's clothing. Terzes said he could not confirm whether the victim was injured.
“Metro is grateful to its contractor, who quickly called for assistance after witnessing an altercation between two individuals,” Metro spokesman Dave Sotero said. “The victim was observed walking away from the station before authorities arrived to render aid.”
Despite efforts by the city and Metro to increase enforcement on buses, subway cars and stations, violent incidents continue to erupt.
Last month, a man was fatally stabbed at the same Slauson J Line station after getting into an argument with the suspect. Another man was fatally shot on a Metro train in the Baldwin Hills area a week earlier.
