A Venice block turned tense Thursday evening after a man was stabbed with what police described as a roughly 16-inch sword-type knife, authorities said. The attack happened at about 6:30 p.m., sending the victim to a hospital as officers fanned out through the neighborhood in search of a suspect. Neighbors said a flyer was passed around a nearby supportive housing building warning that the man being sought was "armed and dangerous."
Suspect identified; search underway
The Los Angeles Police Department has identified 29-year-old Justin Tucker as the suspect and said the victim's condition was not immediately known, according to NBC Los Angeles. The flyer stated that Tucker lives in a building on the 700 block of Rose Avenue and urged residents not to approach him. That building is part of Venice Community Housing's supportive transitional housing program.
Residents and housing operator respond
"I don't feel safe living in the building," a woman who lives there told NBC Los Angeles, adding that Tucker "seemed quiet and kept to himself." Venice Community Housing said it was aware of the incident and that its first priority is the safety of residents. Councilmember Traci Park's office told the outlet it has received pushback when trying to conduct sweeps of encampments in the area.
Violence in Venice this spring
The stabbing follows other high-profile violent episodes in Venice in recent weeks, including a case the LAPD classified as a murder-suicide in late April, local coverage shows. Reporting by the Santa Monica Daily Press and neighborhood updates have heightened community concern about safety on and near Rose Avenue.
Investigators say the search for the suspect is ongoing and have not released additional details about the victim's condition. This story will be updated as police provide more information.
