Suspect arrested in Red Line slaying
A transient sought in a fatal stabbing on the Metro Red Line in Hollywood has been arrested, authorities said Wednesday.
Gene Sim, 33, was taken into custody Tuesday night in Buena Park, officials with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said. He was booked in connection with a probation violation and was being held without bail. Sheriff’s officials described him as a transient.
Murder charges against Sim are pending, said Sgt. Diane Hecht, who was unsure of the exact nature of his alleged probation violation.
The stabbing occurred Friday about 7:30 p.m. Witnesses, including a Los Angeles Times staff writer, said a confrontation broke out on the crowded train when a man began swinging a chain at a younger rider.
As they argued, the younger man pulled out a knife and stabbed the chain-wielding man, witnesses said.
Passengers rushed to the other end of the car as the victim fell to the ground. He was later identified as Jesse Garay, 59.
“Kids were crying. Blood was everywhere,” said Todd Martens, the Times staff writer who witnessed the attack.
The suspect fled the train after it came to a stop at the Hollywood/Vine Station, Martens said.
Authorities used surveillance footage to help identify the suspect. The slaying was the first to occur on the Red Line since it opened in 1993.
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