The University of Southern California student accused of fatally stabbing a man he allegedly saw trying to break into a car will not face criminal charges, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said Thursday.
Ivan Gallegos, 19, and two other people approached the man in the 700 block of West 28th Street Monday around 8:15 p.m., according to Los Angeles police. The victim, identified by police as 27-year-old Xavier Cerf, was not breathing when officers arrived. Cerf was believed to be homeless, police said.
Gallegos stabbed Cerf multiple times and remained at the scene before being apprehended by officers, police said. He was initially held on $2 million bail.
Police said the two people with Gallegos were questioned and later released.
On Thursday, the Public Prosecution Service said it would not file charges against Gallegos.
“After careful consideration and a thorough review of all available evidence, we have decided not to file charges against USC student Ivan Gallegos,” DA spokeswoman Venusse D. Dunn wrote in a statement.
“We believe that Mr. Gallegos’ actions were motivated by a genuine fear for his life and the lives of others,” Dunn wrote. “Our hearts go out to the family, friends of the deceased and everyone affected by this tragic incident.”
Following the release from LAPD 77th Station on Thursday afternoon, media gathered in anticipation of Gallegos speaking publicly. His mother said he was traumatized and not ready to talk, and just wanted to go home.
USC has said Gallegos was a student at the Marshall School of Business.
