LA HABRA : 3 Youths Arrested in Fatal Stabbing
Three members of a La Habra gang were arrested Wednesday in connection with the stabbing death of a 16-year-old youth at a party last month.
The suspects, one 17-year-old from La Habra and two 15-year-olds from Whittier and Pomona, were linked to the stabbing based on interviews and physical evidence recovered at the scene, police said.
The three, who were not identified because of their ages, were arrested at their homes.
La Habra Police Detective Mike Moore said the fatal stabbing was gang-related and was classified as a hate crime because gang members shouted racial slurs at the black victim during the Oct. 18 incident. The victim was taken to a local hospital, where he died.
The stabbing occurred at a chaperoned party in the 900 block of Sturbridge Drive. A 43-year-old chaperon called police shortly after 10 p.m. after what began as a small party ended with more than 100 people crowding into her back yard.
Moore said the three suspects were being held at Orange County Juvenile Hall in Orange on suspicion of murder. No bail is set in juvenile cases, he said.
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