81-year-old man stabbed to death in Tarzana
Man arrested for deadly stabbing in Tarzana
An 81-year-old man, identified as James Handy, died after being stabbed in Tarzana. Officers arrested 44-year-old Michael Gledhill at the scene on suspicion of murder.
LOS ANGELES - A homicide investigation is underway in Los Angeles after an 81-year-old man was stabbed to death on Wednesday morning.
What we know:
According to the Los Angeles Police Department, officers responded to a home in the 19200 block of Erwin Street, located near the intersection of Tampa Avenue and Victory Boulevard in Tarzana around 9:30 a.m.
The 911 caller made a chilling statement to dispatchers, stating, "I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin, officials said.
At the scene, responding officers discovered 81-year-old James Handy in the front yard of the residence, unconscious and suffering from a stab wound to his chest.
Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics rushed Handy to a local hospital, where he died from his injuries.
The suspect tried to take off from the scene, but ultimately flagged down nearby responding officers, telling them he was the one they were looking for.
Police identified the suspect as 44-year-old Michael Gledhill, a resident of Tarzana. Investigators revealed that Gledhill resides at the Erwin Street location with his mother, who is the victim's girlfriend.
Gledhill was detained, arrested, and transported to the Van Nuys Jail, where he was booked for one count of 187(a) PC – Murder. His bail has been set at $2 million.
Detectives believe this is an isolated incident, and LAPD officials emphasized that there appears to be no remaining danger to
What we don't know:
While investigators have established the domestic ties between the victim, the suspect, and the suspect's mother, the exact motive behind the fatal confrontation remains unknown.
It is also unclear if there was any prior history of domestic disputes or calls for service at the Erwin Street home before Wednesday morning's deadly incident.
What's next:
The LAPD Robbery-Homicide Division will continue processing evidence from the scene and interviewing witnesses to build their case for prosecutors.
What you can do:
If you wish to provide information regarding this homicide but prefer to remain anonymous, you can take the following actions:
- By Phone: Call the LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).
- Online: Submit a tip directly by visiting lacrimestoppers.org.
- Mobile App: Download the "P3 Tips" mobile application on your smartphone and select the LA Regional Crime Stoppers as your local program.
The Source: This report is based on information provided by the Los Angeles Police Department. Cify News Service contributed.