A tourist was stabbed near Hollywood and Highland on Wednesday afternoon, and the suspected attacker was arrested by two off-duty New York Police Department officers, authorities said.

The attack was reported at 1:10 p.m. outside Hollywood and Highland, the popular shopping and entertainment complex that recently has served as the venue for the Academy Awards, Los Angeles Police Officer Ricardo Hernandez said.

A man was standing on the sidewalk when “suddenly, for no reason,” another man approached and began stabbing him with a large kitchen knife, LAPD Cmdr. Andrew Smith said.

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Two NYPD detectives were standing nearby and witnessed part of the attack, then pulled out their weapons and subdued the assailant, Smith said. The suspect, whose identity has not been released, was taken into custody and was awaiting booking, he added.

The victim was taken to the hospital in stable condition, Smith said. His identity also has not been released but Hernandez confirmed he was a tourist visiting L.A.

A knife was recovered at the scene, and investigators are reviewing the suspect’s background, Smith said.

The NYPD detectives, Smith said, were visiting L.A. “on official business” for their police department.


“We are extremely happy and grateful that these detectives were not only there but took heroic action to catch this perpetrator and take him into custody,” Smith said, adding that they “likely saved the life of the man who was stabbed.”

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