Police arrested a man accused of attacking another man with a samurai sword outside of a Venice apartment complex.
The Los Angeles Police Department took Justin Tucker into custody near Venice Beach on Saturday afternoon, two days after the attack. He was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
“I’m happy he’s in custody and doesn’t pose a threat to the people of Venice Beach anymore,” Capt. Brian Churchill, of the LAPD’s Pacific Division told The Times.
Police said the victim’s arm was nearly severed and was spewing blood after the attack. He was rushed to a nearby hospital after the violent encounter.
The altercation took place outside of Venice Community Housing, where Tucker lived, police said. The sidewalk and the building’s concrete barrier were left splattered with blood.
Police didn’t identify the victim, whom they said is 27 years old and didn’t live in the building. They said Tucker is also in his late 20s.
Churchill said the initial report was that the two men got into an argument over some property they both claimed.
The victim’s arm was in such bad shape when the LAPD arrived that the officers applied a tourniquet. Churchill said it saved his life.
“If it weren’t for their quick action, he would have bled out,” Churchill said.
LAPD obtained a warrant and recovered the sword from inside the building, Churchill added.
Venice Community Housing co-director Erika Lee said the nonprofit was “very disturbed” by the incident.
“It was a serious, violent incident in front of the building,” she said. “There were witnesses. I was in the building and didn’t see the incident. I don’t know the witnesses. But people said [the two men] seemed to know each other.”
Lee said staff came in on Saturday to help assuage residents.
“We’re very concerned,” she said. “We take safety very seriously. We’re meeting with residents and want to make sure everyone in the building feels safe and secure.”
Witnesses told KTLA they saw the men arguing on the sidewalk before Tucker went inside the apartment building and returned with the 16-inch-long sword. He then hacked at the victim’s arm. The suspect fled before police got there and remained at large until Saturday afternoon, the LAPD said.
Venice Community Housing issued a flier to residents after the altercation, warning them that Tucker lived nearby and should be considered “armed and dangerous” — and not to approach him.
Lee said the incident is especially unfortunate, given the good work VCH does.
In addition to housing for low-income residents, it provides job training for residents as well as “supportive services,” such as life skills workshops and cooking classes, to a broader group of participants in need.
