April 3, 2026: Man Charged with Attempted Murder in Unprovoked Downtown Los Angeles Stabbing

The victim was walking near Hope Street and Olympic Boulevard when Kenneth Gibson allegedly stabbed her in the neck

LOS ANGELES - A 39-year-old man out on parole for a previous conviction has been charged with attempted murder for a random stabbing of a 70-year-old woman in downtown Los Angeles.

"This was a random and vicious attack on an innocent woman who was doing nothing wrong," Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said. "This kind of violence doesn't just hurt the victim; it shakes our entire community. Everyone should feel safe walking the streets of Los Angeles. We will ensure that the individual responsible is held accountable and punished for this heinous crime. Our office remains steadfast in protecting our community and confronting senseless violence wherever it occurs."

Kenneth Gibson (dob 8/21/86) of Los Angeles is charged with one count of willful, deliberate and premeditated attempted murder in case 26CJCF02063. Gibson also faces several allegations, including that he used a deadly and dangerous weapon in the commission of the crime.

He is scheduled to be arraigned today in Department 30 of the Foltz Criminal Justice Center. Prosecutors are requesting bail be set at $2.75 million.

On March 31, shortly after 10 a.m., the victim was walking along Hope Street near Olympic Boulevard when Gibson allegedly approached from behind and stabbed her in the neck without provocation. The victim collapsed and suffered severe injuries, including a broken neck and a punctured artery. Gibson fled the scene but was located approximately three hours later near Fourth Street and Grand Avenue. When officers attempted to detain him, he fled again before being taken into custody near the Los Angeles Public Library.

If convicted as charged, Gibson faces life in state prison.

The case is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Michael Belcher of Central Trials 13 and remains under investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department.

The charges filed in this case are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.