Here is the latest from the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, which is investigating the fatal stabbing Monday and which patrols Metro buses and trains:

(Update) Stabbing Death Investigation, Metro Red Line Vermont Station – 9:20AM, Mon, Jan.13

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau detectives are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the stabbing death of an adult male at 9:20 AM on Monday, January 13, 2014, on the Metro Red Line at the Vermont/Santa Monica Station, 1015 North Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles.

Detectives have learned that Sheriff’s Metro Transit Services Bureau deputies responded to a call of a stabbing victim. The victim was reportedly sitting in a seat on the train as it approached the train station. The suspect approached the victim and stabbed him one time before exiting the train and fleeing the train station.

The victim was transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead at 6:36 PM. The victim has been identified as 34 year-old Los Angeles resident, Jose Velasco-Alvarado.

The suspect who is described as a male African-American in his early 20’s, and the weapon, are still outstanding. This is an on-going investigation.

Metropolitan Transportation Authority Officials have noted that incidents of serious crime on their system is comparatively very low vs. the amount of Metro Riders. Their statistics show a .30 Part I Crimes (Robberies, Rapes, Assaults, other serious Felonies) per 100,000 passenger boardings. Also noting that there have been 2 homicides in the 20 year history of the subway in Los Angeles, and Metro Rail Lines have safely carried over a 1 billion patrons during that same time period.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), or texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.