Victim in fatal stabbing at downtown L.A. jewelry store is identified

The victim of a fatal stabbing at a downtown L.A. jewelry store was identified by authorities on Wednesday.

Eshagh Natanzadeh, 62, of Beverly Hills died at the scene Tuesday, according to the Los Angeles County coroner’s office.

Police first reported that the death was the result of a shooting after a neighbor reported gunshots, but later they said it was a stabbing.

The call came in shortly before 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Officer Drake Madison said. A neighbor reported broken glass in the 700 block of South Broadway, along with an initial statement indicating that a person had been shot.

“It came in as shooting and shots fired, but it ended up being a stabbing,” Madison said.

By 10 a.m., a crowd had gathered in front of the store while police officers rolled yellow tape around the crime scene. Some people sobbed, while others comforted them.

A man reacts outside a crime scene Tuesday near South Broadway and 7th Street, where a man was stabbed to death in downtown Los Angeles.

(Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

An officer confirmed that a male victim had been pronounced dead at the scene.

Madison said the stabbing was not being classified as a robbery at this time.

“The investigation is now underway,” he said. “It’s a homicide, but what led up to all of that, I have no idea. That’s what the investigation is going to be trying to figure out.”

At least 10 LAPD officers responded to the call, along with paramedics from the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Shopkeepers from several nearby businesses declined to comment about the death when reached by phone Tuesday morning.

There was nothing to indicate any connection to the election or concerns of unrest, Madison said.

Officials Wednesday could not confirm whether Natanzadeh was connected to the jewelry shop, and the business’ phone line had been disconnected.

As of Wednesday, no arrests have been made and no suspect description is available. Police are asking anyone with information to call (877) 527-3247.