Man Dies in Stabbing at Hamburger Stand

A Tujunga man has died of stab wounds suffered during an apparently gang-related confrontation at a hamburger stand, Los Angeles police said Monday.

Johnny de la Cruz, 23, died Sunday night at Holy Cross Medical Center, said Detective Jim Boissier of the Foothill Division. He was stabbed five times in the back and chest Friday night at Super Burger in the 7700 block of Foothill Boulevard in Tujunga, Boissier said.

Boissier said De la Cruz, who also used the name Johnny Cruz, had been taunting a couple, accusing them of belonging to a Pacoima gang and threatening to “get them,” when they called on friends for help. The ensuing confrontation involved De la Cruz and five youths.