Downtown Los Angeles Stabbing Suspect Identified as Fugitive Linked to 2025 Homeless Encampment Homicide

Kenneth Gibson, arrested for stabbing a woman in DTLA, is now tied to the 2025 murder of Byron Fuentes. Read about the investigation and family statement.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 2, 2026, 4:41 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from CBS News Los Angeles

Violent Sidewalk Attack Leads to Major Breakthrough

A recent act of violence in downtown Los Angeles has allowed investigators to close the book on a nearly year-old homicide. The Los Angeles Police Department arrested Kenneth Gibson, 39, following an unprovoked attack near Grand Hope Park. According to police reports, Gibson allegedly approached a 70-year-old woman as she walked down the sidewalk and stabbed her in the neck. The victim survived the assault, but the subsequent investigation into Gibson’s background revealed a much darker criminal history.

Connection to 2025 Freeway Encampment Murder

Following Gibson's arrest, a law enforcement bulletin obtained by CBS LA confirmed that he was already a person of interest in a 2025 killing. On May 23, 2025, 48-year-old Byron Fuentes was found dead at a homeless encampment located at the Eighth Street on-ramp to the 110 Freeway. The location of the 2025 murder is less than a half-mile away from where the recent sidewalk stabbing occurred. Forensic evidence and investigative leads have now tied Gibson directly to the death of Fuentes, who had been living on the streets while struggling with addiction and depression.

Fugitive Status and Outstanding Warrants

At the time of the recent stabbing, Gibson was not only a suspect in a prior homicide but was also a fugitive from justice. The law enforcement bulletin noted that he had an outstanding parole warrant, indicating a failure to comply with previous court-ordered supervision. Despite being wanted by authorities, Gibson remained in the downtown area, moving between homeless encampments until the recent daytime assault brought him back into police custody.