Transient Stabs Man in Park

By Lookout Staff

Oct. 26 -- A man was listed in fair condition after he was stabbed in the stomach by a transient in a Pico Neighborhood park late Wednesday afternoon, police said.

The victim said that he did not know the suspect and claimed that the attack, which occurred in the 2200 block of Virginia Park shortly after 5:30 p.m., was unprovoked, said Lt. Frank Fabrega, the police department's spokesman.

A police officer who saw a disturbance in the park approached the two subjects and determined that a stabbing just occurred, Fabrega said.

The suspect was immediately taken into custody and the knife recovered. Santa Monica Fire Paramedics responded and provided medical treatment to the victim, who sustained a stab wound to the abdomen. The victim was subsequently transported to a local hospital and is listed in fair condition, Fabrega said.

The suspect is identified as Javier Beltran Ochoa, a 43-year-old male transient. Ochoa was booked at the Santa Monica jail and charged with attempt murder. His bail has been set at $500,000.