Reinaldo Lefonts Obituary, Death – Authorities have identified the victim of a fatal stabbing that occurred outside the Downey Library on Saturday morning. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s office confirmed that 68-year-old Reinaldo Lefonts, a resident of Downey, died from multiple sharp force injuries in what has been ruled a homicide. The incident unfolded at approximately 9:35 a.m. in front of the library at 11121 Brookshire Avenue, according to Downey Police Department Lieutenant Dustin Doyle. Emergency personnel pronounced Lefonts dead at the scene.
Law enforcement officials reported that a 23-year-old man, believed to be a transient, was taken into custody in connection with Lefonts’ stabbing. He was apprehended near Downey High School, and authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances that led to the fatal attack. Details about the suspect’s motive or prior relationship with the victim have not yet been disclosed, as the investigation remains ongoing.
In a highly unusual turn of events, while emergency responders were attending to Lefonts at the library, another individual unrelated to the homicide stole a Downey Fire Department ambulance that had been parked at the scene. According to Lt. Doyle, the second suspect, a 52-year-old man from Los Angeles, drove the stolen ambulance into the city of Alhambra, where he eventually crashed into a parked vehicle. Law enforcement officers pursued the suspect, who was subsequently taken into custody. Both incidents—the stabbing and the ambulance theft—are being investigated independently by the Downey Police Department.
Authorities have stressed the importance of community cooperation in resolving the stabbing case. Detective J. Estrada has been designated as the point of contact for anyone with information about Lefonts’ death. Members of the public are encouraged to reach out via phone at 562-904-2332, by email at jestrada@downeyca.org, or through Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477. Officials hope that witness accounts or other tips may help provide additional context to the events surrounding the fatal incident.
The tragic stabbing and the bizarre ambulance theft have left the Downey community shaken. Residents expressed concern over the violent act occurring in a public and typically busy area, highlighting ongoing worries about safety in neighborhoods and near public facilities such as libraries. Authorities continue to urge vigilance and cooperation, emphasizing that tips from the community could prove crucial in ensuring justice is served.
In summary, Reinaldo Lefonts, 68, of Downey, was fatally stabbed outside the Downey Library on Saturday morning, with his death classified as a homicide due to multiple sharp force injuries. A 23-year-old transient has been arrested in connection with the stabbing. Separately, a 52-year-old man stole an ambulance from the scene and was apprehended after crashing in Alhambra. Both incidents remain under active investigation as police work to gather details and ensure accountability.
