Crime & Safety

Police Suspect Illegal Immigrant in Hooters Stabbing

DNA of 39-year-old currently serving time in federal prison was recovered from the scene of a stabbing last summer in downtown Santa Moncia, police said Thursday.

The Santa Monica Police on Thursday named a suspect in the August stabbing of a 19-year-old near Hooters restaurant in downtown Santa Monica.

DNA evidence recovered from the scene allegedly tied a 39-year-old illegal immigrant to the attack, which was unprovoked, according to the police. The victim survived.

The police said they expect Francisco Leon-Urbalexo of Sonora, Mexico, will be arraigned on three felony charges—including attempted murder—after he completes a 10-month sentence in federal prison for illegally re-entering the United States.

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"The suspect was identified and is currently in custody on other charges and will be extradited after he completes his current sentence," said public information officer Richard Lewis.

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A case filed Thursday with the Los Angeles County District Attorney also includes charges of hate crime and assault with a deadly weapon.

The victim, who was black, was stabbed multiple times around 6:30 p.m. Aug. 13 as he walked with his girlfriend from Hooters toward the bus stop at Fourth Street and Santa Monica Boulevard.

After the attack, Leon-Urbalexo fled to Arizona, according to Lewis.

He was arrested in Gila Bend, AZ, on Aug. 15 and pleaded guilty in September to illegally re-entering the United States, according to court records.


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