Arrest made in case of man chased, stabbed to death in MacArthur Park
This post has been corrected, as noted below.
A Los Angeles man was arrested at MacArthur Park on suspicion of murder Tuesday at the same location where police say three months ago he stabbed a man to death.
Sometime overnight Oct. 6, detectives say Jeremiah Jonathan Cockrum, 20, got into a dispute with several other people who live in and around the streets near MacArthur Park.
“We’re hearing all kinds of stories. Could’ve been over drugs, earplugs for iPhones,” said Los Angeles police Det. John Motto.
HOMICIDE REPORT: A story for every victim
Video cameras at the park show Cockrum being confronted and chased through the park before his attackers catch him, Motto said. Police say Angel Miguel Mendoza, 28, a transient, stabbed Cockrum to death.
Police issued a warrant for Mendoza’s arrest and found him Tuesday back in MacArthur Park. He was booked on suspicion of murder and is being held in lieu of $1-million bail.
Cockrum had been released from a substance abuse program not long before his slaying and was supposed to be living with a relative in the area, Motto said, but chose instead to live on the streets in and around the park.
[For the record, 2:50 p.m., Jan. 29: An earlier version of this post incorrectly spelled Det. John Motto’s name.]
Twitter: @josephserna
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