Two male juveniles have been booked on suspicion of murder after a stabbing in a residential area of Sherman Oaks that left a 17-year-old boy dead, police said Saturday.
The incident began about 6:40 p.m. Friday when six males became involved in “a dispute over narcotics” behind an apartment building in the 15000 block of Dickens Street (map), according to a statement from the Los Angeles Police Department.
Two boys, one of whom was unconscious but breathing, were transported to Providence Holy Cross Medical Center after being cut during the altercation, LAPD Lt. Jim Gavin said.
One of them, identified as 17-year-old Jacob Koffman, died from his injuries, the statement said. He had initially been described as a man in his 20s. The other boy was released from the hospital.
The surviving patient was transported to the Police Department’s Van Nuys station for questioning, as were a man and juvenile who were detained at the crime scene, according to officials.
The two boys were subsequently arrested in connection with the fatal stabbing.
“The murder weapon was recovered at the scene and is described as a tactical folding knife,” the LAPD statement said.
The adult suspect, identified as 18-year-old Ennio Avolio, was arrested and booked on suspicion of possessing narcotics for sales, authorities said.
Two others were being sought Saturday afternoon. They are said to be male Hispanics, between 17 and 18 years old, who were last seen running northbound from Dickens Street.
Anyone with information is asked to call the detective desk at the LAPD’s Van Nuys station at (818) 374-0040.