USC student's lawyer calls out fatal assault – NBC Los Angeles

Student who stabbed and killed man who broke into his friend's car on USC's Greek Row did nothing wrong, man's lawyer says a day after dropping accusations from his client.

Ivan Gallegos, 19, will not face murder charges in the fatal stabbing of Xavier Cerf, 27, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office announced Thursday. The violence took place Monday evening in the 700 block of West 28^th Street in front of a fraternity house.

The prosecutor's office said it found that Gallego's actions were “motivated by a genuine fear for his life and the lives of others.”

The investigation revealed that Cerf was seen on surveillance footage entering a 2010 Mercedes Benz parked at the scene. After the vehicle alarm went off, Gallegos, who was armed with a knife, got out to investigate the source with two other people, one of whom was carrying a large wooden stick.

Investigators said Cerf refused to get out of the car and once he did, he told the group he had a gun and then reached for their waistband. A fight ensued and Cerf was stabbed three times, according to prosecutors. It was later determined that the man did not have a weapon.

“It’s a terrifying situation,” said Mark Geragos, Gallegos’ attorney. “What do you do in a situation like this?” I think Ivan did exactly what he was supposed to do, which was try to stop a crime. Unfortunately, the person he tried to stop him with made the situation worse and that's where he ended up.

Cerf was described as unhoused and moved from Texas to Southern California in February. He was a dancer and actor.

Xavier Cerf's mother said that even if her son had gotten into a car, he should not have been killed. Darsha Philips returns for the NBC4 6 p.m. newscast on Thursday, June 20, 2024.

Court documents revealed Cerf had been arrested four times for misdemeanors.

“This person had a long criminal record and, unfortunately, he passed away,” Geragos said. “But that doesn't take away from the fact that Mr. Gallegos…was afraid for his life and took the action he needed to take.”

Cerf's grieving mother, Yema Jones, shared her grief with NBC4. She wondered why the violence had escalated into deaths when three people had gone to investigate the actions of one person.

“Are you all trying to tell me you couldn't call campus security or detain him without hurting him? » said Jones. “It's three of you against one.” One had a pole and the other a knife. I think it was already your intention to do what you all did.

According to Jones, her son spent time in a San Pedro hospital receiving mental health treatment. He was released the same day as his assassination.

“There are three of you. Y’all could have held him back,” Jones said. “Stabbing him not once, but several times – he was harmless. You found nothing on him, absolutely nothing, except his medication. And you tell me it's justice.