A 16-year-old Placentia boy was recuperating at a hospital Monday from what appeared to be a random stabbing attack, police said.
The victim had just gotten off work from a pizza restaurant and was targeted while walking home with two other teenagers just before 11:20 p.m. Sunday, said Placentia police Sgt. Bryce Angel.
The victim and his friends were walking from Kraemer Park across Chapman Avenue, and when they reached Melrose Avenue, a compact car, possibly red, pulled up to the curb.
The assailant jumped out of the passenger side of the vehicle and stabbed the boy, whose name was withheld, Angel said.
"At first they thought it was a punch, but it turned out to be a stab wound," the sergeant said.
There is no evidence to show that it was a gang-related attack or that the assailant knew his victim, who has no gang ties, the sergeant said.
Police were looking for surveillance video to help with the investigation, Angel said. Anyone with information was asked to call detectives at (714) 993-8146.
