Suspect Sought in Fatal Stabbing of 17-Year-Old Student in El Sereno

EL SERENO, LOS ANGELES - Authorities are searching for a suspect who fatally stabbed a 17-year-old boy in El Sereno on Friday.

The victim, identified by his family as Xavier Chavarin, was a straight-A senior at Woodrow Wilson High School. He was waiting for his family to pick him up at King Torta restaurant on Valley Boulevard and Gambier Street around 3:30 p.m. when he was attacked by an unknown man.

Chavarin suffered multiple stab wounds to the back of his neck and died inside the restaurant, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

The suspect fled the scene in a black 1996-2001 Honda CR-V. He is described as a man with long wavy black hair and a beard. He was last seen wearing a long black jacket with a black shirt underneath, black pants, black shoes and a black baseball hat that had white writing on it.

Detectives believe the same suspect is also responsible for another stabbing that occurred just hours later at around 9 p.m. in the 5400 block of Valley Boulevard. The second victim, a 33-year-old man, survived and is recovering from his injuries. The suspect was wearing similar clothing but without a hat and was riding a skateboard during the attack.

The motive for both stabbings remains unclear.

Chavarin’s family and friends are devastated by his death. They described him as a smart, kind and respectful young man who had dreams of becoming an engineer. He was also involved in several extracurricular activities at his school, including soccer, chess and robotics.

A candlelight vigil was held on Saturday night at King Torta, where hundreds of people gathered to pay their respects and demand justice.

Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Alberto Carvalho also spoke at the memorial and expressed his shock and sadness over Chavarin’s death.

“When something goes wrong with a kid like that, the entire community should bow its head and think about what’s happening in Los Angeles,” Carvalho said.

Anyone with information about the stabbings is urged to call LAPD Hollenbeck Division detectives at (323) 342-8900 or Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.