Alleged Gang Member Arrested in Possible Hate-Fueled Stabbing: Police

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.