Grieving family speaks out after father fatally stabbed near Downey Library

DOWNEY, Calif. (KABC) -- A heartbroken family is mourning the death of their 68-year-old father who was stabbed near the Downey Library.

The violent attack happened around 9:38 a.m. Saturday after an argument in the library parking lot on Brookshire Avenue. The victim, Ray Lefonts, died at the scene.

To make things worse, another man stole an ambulance at the scene as paramedics tried to save Lefonts.

An apparent transient, 23-year-old Giovanni Navarro, was arrested shortly after the stabbing. Witnesses reported seeing him flee toward Downey High School, and he was taken into custody on the campus without incident, police said.

As paramedics focused on the victim following the attack, police say a 52-year-old man stole the paramedic's transport vehicle. Police chased the ambulance until the suspect crashed in Alhambra.

Lefonts' family is trying to make sense of their unexpected loss.

"Dad, I love you. You're the best dad. I couldn't ask for anything more," Michael Lefonts, the victim's son, said outside the courthouse. "You prepared me for life. You're my best friend. You are my brother's best friend. You are the epitome of everything that's good in the world."

Michael recounted how his father worked hard, put himself through school and started a family.

"My dad was extraordinary. He's the American dream," Michael said. "He was born in Cuba, went to Spain, came to America with nothing and embraced what America had to offer."

"He loved America. He loved Downey. He loved being an Angeleno," Michael added.

Navarro was due in court Tuesday to face a murder charge. His arraignment was postponed for the next three weeks.

"There's a lot of things we don't know. It's an ongoing investigation," Michael said. "I think everybody wants answers. Everybody wants justice."