A woman in her 60s has died following another violent incident involving public transportation in Los Angeles.
The latest incident occurred around 5 a.m. Monday morning. The victim was stabbed on the southbound train before exiting at the Universal City B Line Station at 3901 Lankershim Blvd, close to the major tourist attraction, Universal Studios.
The Los Angeles Police Department arrested Elliot Tramel Nowden. The homeless 45-year-old is charged with murder and is being held on $2 million bail, authorities said.
According to LAPD, Nowden stabbed the victim in the throat using two small kitchen knives. The woman got off the train while bleeding profusely at the station, and Nowden exited right after.
He fled the scene, but a combination of surveillance cameras and witness descriptions about the suspect and his distinctive clothing helped officers locate and arrest him a short time later near Ventura Boulevard and Vineland Avenue.
Authorities say Nowden and the victim did not know each other.
“This does appear to be completely unprovoked from what witnesses have told detectives,” LAPD Det. Meghan Aguilar to KTLA 5’s Rachel Menitoff. “There was no altercation prior to this violent attack.”
Investigators say they strongly believe that there are additional victims who have been assaulted by Nowden.
Train service was halted for several hours as officers investigated at the Studio City station. A bus bridge service was available to riders between the North Hollywood and Hollywood-Highland stations, L.A. Metro spokesperson Dave Sotero said.
Some Metro riders say they have an elevated sense of fear when using public transportation.
“I take Metro every day and it’s gotten worse and worse,” Studio City resident Jackinman told KTLA. “It used to be that it was downtown only, but it’s come all the way out to the valley.”
Metro released a statement about the incident.
“The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to the scene and the victim was transported to a local hospital where, unfortunately, she succumbed to her injuries. Metro extends its condolences to her family and friends,” the statement says.
Although there have been numerous deadly incidents in recent months aboard trains and buses, statistics show that passenger crime has dropped by roughly 10% compared to a year ago, according to Metro.
Anyone with additional information that may further aid in this investigation is asked to contact
Operations Valley Bureau Homicide Detectives at (818) 374-9550. During non-business hours,
or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247).
Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call the LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org. Lastly, tipsters may also download the “P3 Tips” mobile application and select the LA Regional Crime Stoppers as their local program