TOPANGA CANYON — Police are seeking the public’s help in locating a suspect in the killing of 39-year-old Michael Silva, who was reportedly stabbed to death at a residence in Canoga Park, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

The incident occurred on June 5, at around 2 a.m., when officers from the Los Angeles Police Department’s Topanga Area division responded to a 911 emergency call of “unknown trouble” at the Canoga Park home.

Topanga Area patrol officers arrived at the location on the 7000 block of Glade Avenue, where they found Silva lying unconscious in the driveway with multiple stab wounds in his body.  Responding paramedics from the Los Angeles Fire Department pronounced the victim dead.

Homicide detectives later held a news conference to provide the public with information on the suspect, who was identified as 32-year-old Jerry Wizar, also of Canoga Park.  Wizar is described as a Hispanic male who stands 5’11’’, and weighs approximately 200 pounds.  He has brown hair and brown eyes.

Detectives indicate that Wizar and Silva, who they believe were long-time acquaintances, became involved in a dispute that escalated into a physical fight, in which Wizar fatally stabbed Silva with a knife.  Wizar fled from the scene, leaving Silva lying unconscious on the sidewalk.

Police are now requesting of the public to provide information that will lead to Wizar’s arrest.  Anyone with additional information may call Topanga Area homicide detectives at 818-756-4869. During non-business hours or on weekends, tipsters may call 818-756-4800, or 1-877-LAPD-24-7.  Those who wish to remain anonymous may call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS, or contact Crimestoppers by texting to 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone.  All text messages need to begin with “LAPD.”  As another option, tipsters may visit LAPDOnline.org, click on “webtips” and follow the prompts.

Officer Eisenman, of the LAPD’s Topanga Area division, told Canyon News that no further information on the suspect or the investigation is available, but she offered tips that residents may use if they happen to encounter individuals in a violent altercation.

“You should always call 911,” Eisenman told Canyon News, “but you shouldn’t get involved, because you never know where the person is at in his head, or what he is trying to accomplish.  But if possible you could get a good description of the suspect.”