CALIFORNIA BRIEFING / HOLLYWOOD

Los Angeles police have arrested a man suspected of fatally stabbing two transients in Hollywood on Thursday afternoon and seriously wounding another.

The three stabbing incidents occurred within a period of several hours along Hollywood and Sunset boulevards and Argyle Avenue.

The three victims were transients, said Det. Gus Villanueva of the Los Angeles Police Department.

The violence occurred hours after Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and LAPD Chief William J. Bratton held a news conference to tout crime decreases in Hollywood.

Damian Durado, 54, was arrested shortly before 5 p.m. less than a block from where the second stabbing occurred, Villanueva said. Durado was allegedly carrying a knife.

“Detectives think he is the guy who did all three,” Villanueva said.

The violence began about 1:30 p.m. when officers responded to reports of a victim shot in the 5500 block of West Sunset Boulevard. They found the victim with multiple stab wounds. He was taken to a local hospital, where he died, Villanueva said.

The second stabbing took place 30 minutes later in the 6100 block of Hollywood Boulevard. The victim was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead, Villanueva said.

At 4:40 p.m., police responded to a stabbing report at Argyle Boulevard and Vine. Officers found a man with stab wounds. He was taken to a hospital and listed in critical condition. Villanueva said the man was expected to survive.

The victims’ names were not released. They were described by police as transients, ages 51, 43 and 49.

Anyone with information is asked to call (877) LAPD 24-7 (527-3247).

-- Robert J. Lopez