A University of Southern California (USC) student who police say stabbed and killed a homeless man who was trying to break into his car on Greek Street will not be charged, the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office announced Thursday.
LA DA George Gascon declined to press charges against Ivan Gallegos, 19, who was arrested following the stabbing death of Xavier Self, 27, on Monday, June 17th.
“After careful consideration and a thorough review of all available evidence, we have decided not to file charges against University of Southern California student Ivan Gallegos. We believe Mr. Gallegos’ actions were motivated by genuine fear for his own life and the life of others. Our hearts go out to the family and friends of those who lost their lives and all those affected by this tragic incident,” Gascón’s office said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
Los Angeles Police received a call Monday night from two co-workers of Gallegos who reported seeing Cerf attempting to break into multiple vehicles.
USC student arrested for allegedly stabbing car burglary suspect to death
Ivan Gallegos, a 19-year-old University of Southern California student, will not be charged in the stabbing death of a man who was reportedly breaking into his car on Greek Row, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón said. (FOX 11 Los Angeles)
Things then escalated when three USC students confronted Cerf.
During the argument, Gallegos He allegedly stabbed Cerf. He was seriously injured.
Police found Cerf collapsed in a hallway between two dorms in the University Park neighborhood of Los Angeles. He was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said.
1 dead after bystander stabbed car burglary suspect at USC: police
A University of Southern California student will not be charged in the stabbing death of a homeless man who was trying to break into a car on Greek Street, authorities said. (FOX 11 Los Angeles)
Police said Gallegos remained at the scene and cooperated with police, telling them he acted in self-defense.
Gallegos was originally arrested on suspicion of murder, Fox 11 previously reported. He has no criminal history and his bail was set at $2 million.
The Los Angeles Police Department arrested Ivan Gallegos on murder charges in the stabbing, but the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office will not be filing charges. (iStock)
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Gascón’s office said more details about the investigation would be released at a later date.
Fox News Digital’s Landon Mion contributed to this report.
