Man Stabbed to Death After Party-Goer Is Evicted

A birthday party turned deadly early Sunday when a 20-year-old man was stabbed to death in apparent retaliation for evicting a belligerent party-goer, police said.

Jason Allan Shaw was killed just before 2 a.m. at a house in the 23800 block of Sylvan Street where he resided with two other men, said Det. Rick Swanston of the Los Angeles Police Department’s West Valley Division.

A second man, whom authorities declined to identify, was stabbed several times in his upper body but was expected to survive, Swanston said. This man underwent surgery at an area hospital Sunday, where he remained in stable condition.

Ten males, including three juveniles, were booked on murder charges, Swanston said.

Party-goers said the trouble began soon after 10 p.m. Saturday when Michael Baker, 19, of Chatsworth arrived at the celebration. The party was well underway and included helium for attendees to inhale, Swanston said. Baker asked Shaw for a helium-filled balloon, party-goers said, but Shaw refused.

A fight erupted between the two men, who did not know each other, Swanston said. Baker was removed from the party by Shaw and several others.

Baker returned to the party about 1:30 a.m. Sunday with more than a dozen other people armed with bats, sticks and knives, Swanston said. They forced their way into the house and Baker allegedly stabbed Shaw while other suspects allegedly stabbed the second victim, Swanston said. Baker and the other suspects then reportedly vandalized the inside of the house and several cars outside, Swanston added.

The suspects left the residence in a truck and a van, he said. Soon after police arrived at the party, patrol officers pulled over the van at Vanowen Street and Reseda Boulevard. Fourteen people were inside, Swanston said. Nine of them were eventually booked for murder.

Jose David Lucas, Bryan Zoltan Dyer, Kevin Charles Heschong, Aaron Douglas Bowden, Frederick James Estrada and Troy Edward Rushton, all 18, were held without bail. Three juveniles were taken to Sylmar Juvenile Hall.

Officers also arrested Baker, at his home in the 10400 block of Larwin Street, Swanston said.

Most of the arrested are Simi Valley residents, Swanston said.

He added that the investigation was continuing and that more arrests may be made.