The student who stabbed and killed a man who broke into his friend’s car at USC’s Greek Row did no wrong, the man’s attorney said aIvan Gallegos, 19, will not face murder charges in the deadly stabbing of 27-year-old Xavier Cerf, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced Thursday. The violence took place Monday night in the 700 block of West 28The DA’s office said it found Gallego’s actions were “driven by a genuine fear for his life and the lives of others.
Investigators said Cerf refused to get out of the car and once he did, he told the group that he had a gun and then reached for his waist. A struggle ensued and Cerf was stabbed three more times, according to prosecutors. It was later determined the man did not have a gun. Cerf was described as being unhoused and moved to Southern California from Texas in February. He was a dancer and comedian.
“You all mean to tell me you couldn’t call campus security or hold him down without hurting him? Jones said. “It’s three of you all against one. One had a pole, and one had a knife. I feel it was already your intention to do what you all did.”