STUDIO CITY—A 45 year-old man suspected of fatally stabbing his roommate was captured at a Studio City Starbucks on Friday, October 4.
The stabbing transpired at a North Hollywood hostel located on the 6700 block of Tujunga Avenue. The suspect, William Rivera and his roommate were involved in an altercation when he stabbed his roommate in his leg with what authorities believe to be a pocketknife at around 7:00 p.m. on October 2. The roommate who is only described to be a man in his late 30s, used a chair leg in the fight with Rivera prior to the stabbing.
A few days after the incident transpired, the Los Angeles Police Department and Federal Bureau Investigation Fugitive Task officials identified the suspect as William Rivera. He fled to evade police officers who had a warrant for his arrest. Rivera ran to a mini mall on Vineland Avenue and Ventura Boulevard where a Starbucks was located.
Officers surrounded the area after they discovered Rivera’s location. He was taken into police custody at about 11:05 a.m.
According to law enforcement, the victim was taken to a hospital to treat his stab wounds and died from his injuries. According to the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office, the victim’s name has not been released and is pending identification.
Rivera is being held in lieu of $2 million and is currently being held in the Metropolitan Detention Center.
