Suspect Arrested in Fatal New Year's Day Stabbing at DTLA Restaurant

LOS ANGELES (CNS) - A homeless man suspected of stabbing to death a fellow diner at a downtown Los Angeles Mexican restaurant on New Year's Day was in custody this morning.

A civilian called police around 4 p.m. Friday after learning about the crime to report seeing the suspect inside the downtown Central Library, located at 630 W. Fifth St. Officers quickly responded and took the suspect, identified as Devan Lampkin, 49, into custody without incident, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

Lampkin was wanted for the stabbing death of Homer Garcia, 56, after the two got into an argument inside Margarita's Place, located at 103 E. Seventh Street, about 8:35 a.m. Wednesday, police said.

Relatives said Garcia was an avid musician.

Surveillance video from inside the restaurant released by police showed the attack, then Lampkin calmly picked up his belongings from the counter and walked away.

Lampkin lived at a homeless shelter and was being held on $2 million bail, police said.

The case will be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office next week.


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