Man in his 50s found fatally stabbed at park in San Fernando; assailant at large

SAN FERNANDO, Calif. (KABC) -- A man in his 50s was found stabbed to death Tuesday evening at a park in San Fernando, prompting a partial closure of the facility, authorities said.

Firefighter-paramedics and San Fernando police officers responded about 9:45 p.m. to a report of a "person down" at Las Palmas Park in the 500 block of Huntington Street, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

The unidentified victim, who had suffered at least one stab wound to his body, was found behind the softball fields by two women who were exercising at the park, a sheriff's statement said. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

At the park Wednesday morning, several visitors told a reporter that the victim was a homeless man who had been going to the park daily for the past two months.

Peter Alvarez, who lives nearby, described the victim as a "quiet" person who "doesn't do nothing, doesn't bother nobody."

"He was a real peaceful man," resident Peter Alvarez said. "I'd feel bad for him sometimes."

Alvarez added that he sometimes gave the man water, juice or soda.

Investigators asked for anyone who may have seen the attack or its aftermath to come forward.

"It would be reasonable to believe that there were witnesses in the area who may have, if not witnessed the incident, may have seen somebody fleeing from the area," sheriff's Lt. Derrick Alfred said.

Neighbors and park-goers who knew the victim said they had seen members of his family go to the park to speak with him.

Anyone with information about the killing is asked to call the sheriff's Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500.