Two men were stabbed in a possibly gang-related attack Saturday night that detectives were investigating as a hate crime, police said.
Nineteen-year-old Louis Vasquez was arrested in a Covina backyard after the stabbings in a shopping center parking lot in the 100 block of North Azusa Avenue, a Covina Police Department statement said. He allegedly fled the scene of the attack through area backyards.
Police are investigating the attack as a hate crime based on what Vasquez allegedly said during the attack and in a follow-up investigation, a Covina police sargeant said.
Two black men were injured in the attack, which took place at about 7:41 p.m. Saturday night, police said.
One, 18, worked at a store in the shopping center and was cut in the shoulder while gathering up shopping carts, police said. The other, 27, was walking toward a business in the center when Vasquez allegeld cut his shoulder and knee.
The attack is suspected to be gang-related as well, police said.
Vasquez was booked on charges of attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon, with bail set at $500,000.
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Police ask anyone with questions or information about the attack to call 626-384-5612.