Crime & Safety

Police: Stabbing Apparently Unprovoked

The teens, who are listed in stable condition, were stabbed Saturday night at the South Bay Galleria.

The two teens who were stabbed Saturday night in an apparently unprovoked at the South Bay Galleria in North Redondo Beach are in stable condition, police announced Sunday afternoon.

The boy and the girl, both 13 years old, were discovered stabbed in front of AMC Theaters on the third floor of the mall at about 7:20 p.m., Redondo Beach police Sgt. Shawn Freeman said. They underwent surgery and are currently in the intensive care unit of a local hospital.

  • Previously: 2 Teens Stabbed at South Bay Galleria

The victims' identities were not released; however, police said both are from the South Bay area.

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According to Freeman, officers were able to conduct a "limited interview" with the teens to get a more detailed description of their attacker.

"(The victims) are in complete shock of what happened," Freeman said.

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The victims described the attacker as a 40- to 50-year-old tall black man with a medium build. He had a beard and a mustache that may have been graying, and he was possibly wearing prescription glasses. He was wearing a fatigue-type jacket that may have been green and brown, blue jeans, a black T-shirt and a dark-colored beanie.

The weapon used was described as a kitchen knife with a black handle.

The teens were sitting on a bench outside the AMC Theaters on the third floor of the mall when they were stabbed.

"It was unprovoked," Freeman said. "As far as we know right now, it's a completely unprovoked attack … They were sitting on a bench, and the suspect walks up, stabs them and walks away."

The victims stood and started walking away, possibly to get help, when they collapsed. Mall security contacted police, who called paramedics.

Before lapsing into unconsciousness, the boy provided a general description of his attacker.

Officers from the Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach and Torrance police departments blocked off entrances and exits from the mall and searched vehicles leaving the Galleria.

Police said they were looking for the attacker, signs of a struggle and/or blood in the vehicles.

No witnesses have come forward.

Freeman said investigators are reviewing security camera footage from the movie theater, mall and nearby stores to see if they can identify a suspect or discover further information about the incident.

Anyone with information on the stabbings is being asked to contact the Redondo Beach Police Department's tip line at 310-937-6685. People can also text their information to 310-339-2362.

In the meantime, Freeman said there is a greater police presence at the mall as detectives investigate the incident.


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