A man who was stabbed by a fellow passenger on a Montebello Public Transit bus in East Los Angeles in April has died at a hospital, and his alleged assailant could now face a murder charge, authorities said Tuesday.
The 23-year-old victim was stabbed multiple times in the neck and head on April 9 as the bus was traveling in the 5700 block of Whittier Boulevard. He died at a hospital on Sunday, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
His name was not immediately released.
On May 9, Manuel Ortiz Jr., 27, of Montebello, pleaded not guilty to one count each of attempted murder and aggravated mayhem. Sheriff's officials said Ortiz could face a murder charge since the victim has now died.
Ortiz's bail, originally set at $1.35 million, has been increased to $2 million, according to the sheriff's department.
Authorities have not disclosed a motive for the stabbing.
Ortiz was arrested three days after the crime by sheriff's deputies. He is due back in a downtown Los Angeles courtroom June 14,when a date is scheduled to be set for a hearing to determine if there is enough evidence to require him to stand trial.
