UPDATE: Gold Line resuming service to all stations after homicide

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UPDATE, 10:15 a.m. Thursday: A 51-year-old Commerce man has been arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the stabbing death of a 62-year-old man on the Gold Line on Tuesday. According to the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, police were first called when the southbound train was at Irwindale Station and police met the train at Duarte Station. The LASD said a weapon was recovered but have released no other info about motive or what prompted the stabbing.

UPDATE, 9:30 p.m. Tuesday: LASD has released the scene and Gold Line trains are resuming service to all stations. Media coverage is here: KTLA, LAT, Monrovia Weekly, Fox 11.

The most recent crime stats for Metro are here. Metro has also issued the following statement:

Our thoughts at LA Metro are with the family members of the victim of this tragic attack. While this type of incident is rare in the Metro system, one victim is too many. The safety and security of Metro riders has been and will be our first priority and we will continue to work to enhance security across the entire system.

Metro urges riders to report any threats to public safety on the Metro system by calling Transit Watch at 888-950-SAFE or to call 911 in the event of an emergency.

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At approximately 11:30 a.m. this morning, Metro staff received reports of a passenger disturbance on board an East LA-bound Gold Line train. Law enforcement and medical emergency responders were immediately dispatched. Responders met the incident train at Duarte/City of Hope Station and a suspect was detained in an apparent stabbing. A male victim unfortunately died at the scene.

The Gold Line at Duarte/City of Hope Station is currently closed as the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department continues their investigation. Trains are bypassing the station. Supplemental bus shuttles are in service between Monrovia, Duarte/City of Hope and Irwindale. Gold Line trains are expected to run approximately every 10 to 15 minutes throughout this evening. For live updates on Metro service, please check Twitter @metroLAalerts.

Categories: Safety, Service Alerts

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16 replies ›

  1. There are more people out there like this guy. I don’t have a solution but it is time that more thought goes into preventing hostile and defiant behavior on the train. As said earlier one victim is already too many.

    Munoz has at least eight criminal convictions between 1985 and 2016, prosecutors said. The convictions include drug offenses, making criminal threats and assault with firearm on a peace officer.

  4. I am very saddened by the homicide. The victim was a co-worker. After riding the Gold Line for many years I am disappointed about my perception of security levels on the train. Since the contract change to LAPD there is a point where I never see uniformed officers on the train. I have seen where people have pushed the emergency call button and there was no to slow response. I have never detected where there is a signal to officers that there is an emergency on a train when it approaches a platform. Are we relying on the radio only. I have heard it at times where it can be pretty busy. First the motorman needs to assume that every call is a true emergency even if pranks or non emergency calls happen then there should be a signal to law enforcement that may be on a platform that can help.

    • Hi Alvin;

      Thanks for your feedback — I’ll send it upstairs — and my condolences on the loss of your co-worker. FWIW, the Gold Line is patrolled by the LAPD within the city of Los Angeles and by the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department outside the city, i.e. from Azusa to South Pasadena.

      Steve Hymon
      Editor, The Source

  6. What can I say, life is becoming hopeless if there is “police activity” at City of Hope Station. Hope no one gets hurt. Are we as a society hopeless? Have we no shame?

  7. Will Metro be addressing updated passenger safety measures due to this incident? Also, you might want to update your article, according to the LA Times the victim was female, and a male suspect was detained. Thank you.

    • Hi Bill,

      We’ll update with official statement when that becomes available. Per LASD the victim was confirmed male.

      Thank you,

      Anna Chen
      Writer, The Source

  8. If I need to get to APU/Citrus station, will the train continue to there or will I need to take a shuttle?

    • Hi Matt,

      Trains are traveling the entire length of the line. You’ll only need to take the shuttle if you need access to Duarte/City of Hope.

      Anna Chen
      Writer, The Source

    • Hi EJ,

      Yes, you can. Trains are running the entire length of the line but not stopping at Duarte.

      Anna Chen
      Writer, The Source

  10. For people whose cars are parked at Duarte/City of Hope, will the bus shuttle still make a stop there even though the station is closed?

    • Yes, shuttles will stop at the station for those who need access. Only the platform area is closed.

      Thank you,

      Anna Chen
      Writer, The Source