California student arrested for fatally stabbing burglar who threatened to shoot him

19-year-old USC student Ivan Gallegos was arrested and charged with murder following a fatal stabbing in the university's Greek Quarter.

The victim, identified as Xavier Cerf, 27, allegedly attempted to burglarize cars in the neighborhood at the time of the incident.

According to police reports, Gallegos and two friends saw Cerf breaking into vehicles near the Delta Tau Delta fraternity house on West 28th Street.

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Gallegos confronted Cerf, leading to an altercation that quickly escalated. During the confrontation, Gallegos allegedly stabbed Cerf several times, causing him to die instantly.

Gallegos, who has no criminal record, remained at the scene and cooperated with authorities. He claimed self-defense, saying Cerf threatened him with a gun. However, investigators did not find a weapon on Cerf.

The incident shocked the USC community, particularly those residing in the Greek Row area. While some students expressed concerns about safety and the prevalence of car burglaries, others were surprised by the level of violence involved.

A student property manager, whose building on Greek Row is just two doors down from Delta Tau Delta, shared with KTLA that his property was also burglarized recently. The incident involving Gallegos and Cerf left students in the district confused and worried for their safety. They are now wondering how to protect themselves and their property in the face of increasing crime.

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“Someone lost their life yesterday, so I feel horrible what happened,” the student, identified only as Allison, told KTLA. “At the same time, I am a student myself. I'm a woman. I think we're all students, anyone actually, you're in a vulnerable position. What are you supposed to do, wait until the gun is out in front of you?

Gallegos is currently being held on $2 million bail. The case remains under investigation and authorities are gathering additional evidence to determine the exact circumstances of the fatal stabbing.

The incident raises questions about the appropriate use of force in self-defense situations and the potential consequences of vigilante actions. It also highlights the ongoing problem of property crimes in the region and the need for increased security measures.

USC officials expressed their condolences to Cerf's family and are cooperating with law enforcement in the investigation. The university is also providing support services to students affected by the incident.

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